In this essay, the methodologies utilized in defining elopement, its measurement approach in the ABA arena, the treatment techniques as well as the experimental work outs employed in treating this behavioral disorder, are analyzed via a review of five credible sources. Elopement is generally identified as the habit of a child leaving a defined location and destined to an unknown place. Therefore, elopement is generally an unsafe behavior given that the involved child suddenly goes away from the caregiver and would risk dangerous events such as motor accidents, drowning and abduction, among others. This disorder has been observed mainly in children with ADH or other cognitive challenges. Researchers find out that elopement is a common disorder which occurs in children with autism whereby children suffering from autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are seen to be significantly wanderers (Kiely et al., 2016). Nonetheless, various studies present useful methodologies and treatment criteria for handling elopement disorders. Imperatively, a significant number of researches delve deeper into the ideal procedures for ascertaining the presence of elopement disorder, presenting ideal treatment approach, and offering its experimental work plan.
In a controlled study, Boyle et al. (2017) examined a case of elopement disorder, devoid of blocking. The study was carried out in a large corridor of a campus office. The subject in the study was a 6-year-old female named Abby suffering from ASD. As an ASD subject, Abby showed various types of abnormal behavior. However, Boyle el al centered on the elopement disorder; the latter being the main aim of their study. It was observed that, Abby showed an advanced vocal mand, a sound memory and judgment, however; she experienced various intra-verbal challenges. On the other hand, it was evident that Abby was apt with step-to-step instructions, but often avoided doing so; an observation that Boyle and colleagues termed (non-compliance). High levels of mands coupled with protesting mands’ denial also characterized Abby’s case. Following the research, it was also observed that Abby would elope in settings of narrow escape. Therefore, in this case, elopement is presented as a severe case of non-compliance and an increased tendency for the subject to wander.
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Evaluation of Research Designs used in the articles
In their research, Boyle et al (2017) defines eloping as the subject’s tendency to go beyond 1 meter from the psychotherapist without the latter’s go-ahead. In the research, therapists positioned in the way-in of the corridor and the facility doors were locked to during the sessions. Treatment was administered by the therapist giving simple instructions that the subject was required to follow, for instance “stay by me, follow me; you can run,” (pg. 8). The patient’s tendency to elope was measured throughout the therapy session and the efficacy of the treatment reported. An ABAB display was designed to reveal Abby’s behavioral modification throughout the therapy session. An analysis of the assessment results revealed that the subject eloped throughout the baseline-session excluding the play session. The results further revealed that the subject did not elope during the second-line of assessment, however; waited for the therapist instructions. Based on the given results, Boyle et al (2017) concluded that elopement can be managed without blocking. As evident in their findings, Boyle el al proposes an automatic reinforcement of involuntary contingencies.
In his Research, Goldstone (2017) employed the Jacobson Method to enhance emotional regulation in participants with elopement disorder. The study design utilized in this research was a single-case AB, which encompassed; baseline, interference as well as three partakers. Data was obtained using a tailored version of Jacobson Method; Jacobson Method, being a method of tensing and flexing of muscle, with the aim of achieving a behavioral modification. In the study, the method was applied to 3 cognitively challenged 9 th and 10 th graders. The intervention was applied to the 3 participants; at an individual level, the baseline information having been obtained. To enhance baseline stability for the individual participant, the partakers began their treatments at different times. In terms of validity, the author underlines the fact that the tailored Jacobson Method employed in the research was designed with the guidance of behavioral experts and professional psychotherapist working with the school district. Therefore, the research design employed would enhance valid outcome.
Analysis of the Treatments used in the articles
The independent variable used by Goldstone (2017) in his study was, teaching of the tailored Jacobson Method practice to the partaker. In this practice, the participants were to learn emotional control tactics slowly by engaging in muscles stretching and relaxing exercise, and consciously controlling their breathing patterns. However, given that the participants had elopement disorder, these treatment criteria could fail due to non-compliance by the subjects.
The data on the rate of elopement frequency as well the information on the Antecedent Behavior Consequences was obtained and evaluated to establish a model of behavior exhibited by the partakers so as to know a reduction in the elopement conduct alongside other functions associated with eloping. The articles give three-leveled results, and these include the baseline, intervention, and the after intervention data. . As per the results given in the article, once the intervention was rolled out; eloping frequency significantly reduced. With the presence of the given intervention, it is evident that the partakers adopted a new routine and recognize the need to use it thus reducing eloping frequencies.
In a cross-sectional study, Boyle and Adamson (2017) identified the current developments in the efficient investigation and management of elopement. The research was carried out in a research data base, research articles on the studied topic being the subject of the investigation. Boyle and Adamson made out articles of the topic via use of a three-phase procedure; Boolean terminologies, and keywords, examination of each abstract, and the examination of the references section. All the articles considered in this research met the fore-mentioned inclusion criteria. The selection criteria having put in place, enhanced identification of research articles, which exclusively, correctly, and deeply explored the assessment and treatment of elopement.
The independent variable used by Boyle and Adamson (2017) was an inclusion criterion whereby the articles which was to be included in the study were all treated to a stringent inclusion selection process. The strengths of this treatment procedure is that only articles that meet the required standard for the evaluation of the research topic were included in the study therefore minimizing validity errors. However, the use of predetermined inclusion criteria for the study could also increase incidences of research manipulation because only articles of the pre-specified form were to be used in the study. Therefore, settling for articles of a given structure could lead to some form of research bias and even failure to exploit other research work which could add value to the research at hand.
In their findings, Boyle and Adamson (2017) reported that classrooms and clinics are the leading settings for the elopement studies and majority of the study participants in the researches on this topic are children with autism. On the other hand, blocking an exit was observed as a prevalent method used by researchers when investing elopement disorder. Therefore, future research should concentrate more on no the blocking approach.
In a quantitative research, Mojica (2019) examined the elopement behavior under transitions conditions. In the context of this research, transition implies several idiosyncratic constructs generally absent in an FA. Therefore, transitions may lead to a disinclined situation, which enhance elopement and the related dangers. However, to tackle transitions related elopement, Mojica proposes a three-phase model which involves assessment, designing elopement related information, and undertaking a stimulus management procedure in order to have power over the transitional processes.
Mojica (2019) used three children with ASD as the partakers in her study. At the time of the study, the chosen participants were patients of Applied Behavior Analytic interventions at the university hospital where the study was done. The initial part of the research involved trial-based transition whereby further tests were conducted on the participants to establish the preliminary results. To assess transition attention, the partakers were moved from to another part of the experiment room and their actions monitored for 2 minutes. The participants showed a reinforcement of elopement during this prior session. In the second phase of the study, a tracking device was availed to the participants. Eventually, in the third phase, it was observed that the participants in the transitional session could still elope, which proves that elopement in the transitional session is a challenging and endangering event.
Lastly, in a cross-sectional survey, Rice et al (2016) studied the wandering behavior in children with ADH and cognitively challenged kids. Data of wandering condition as well as the preventive techniques were analyzed using bivariate regressions. The likely forecasters of the wandering behavior were evaluated within each of the individual diagnostic groups studied. Overall, children with ASD as well as those with other cognitive impairments were likely to wander. Rice et al concludes that treating SDA and other cognitive impairment issues could reduce wandering among children living with these behavioral disabilities. Though this research addresses the issue of wandering, the authors did not focus in specific subtypes of the ASDs disorders. Therefore, the future research should focus in addressing wandering in a more narrowed-down manner.
This essay delves into evaluating the methodologies employed in defining elopement, the approaches used in its measurements, psychotherapeutic methods used as well as the leading experimental approaches used in managing this disorder. In this essay, a number of articles on elopement were reviewed. Based on the findings from the article reviews, it is evident that managing elopement disorder is a multiphase procedure, which basically entails an in-depth psychotherapy approach. Nonetheless, through a strict adherence to the therapy, a subject can attain a significant positive progress.
References
Boyle, M. A., Keenan, G., Forck, K. L., & Curtis, K. S. (2017). Treatment of Elopement without Blocking with a Child with Autism. Behavior Modification , 1(14). Doi:10.1177/0145445517740871.
Boyle, M., & Adamson, R. M. (2017). Systematic Review of Functional Analysis and Treatment of Elopement (2000-2015). Behavioral Analysis in Practice , 10(4), 375-385. doi: 10.1007/s40617-017-0191-y
Goldstone M. (2017). Decreasing Elopement in Individuals with Intellectual Disability using a Modified Jacobson Method. Capstone Projects and Master’s Theses . 123. https://digitalcommons.csumbedu/caps_thes_all/123
Kiely, B., Migdal, T. R., Vettam, S., & Adesman, A. (2016). Prevalence and Correlates of Elopement in a Nationally Representative Sample of Children with Developmental Disabilities in the United States. PLoS One, 11(2), eo148337. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148337.
Mojica, D. R. Functional Assessment and Treatment of Elopement Occasioned by Transitions. (2019). Dissertations. 3478. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations/3478
Rice, C. E., Zablotsky, B., Avila, R. M., Colpe, L.J., Schieve, L. A., Beverly, P., & Blumberg, S. J. (2016). Reported Wandering Behaviour among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and / o Intellectual Disability. Journal of Pediatrics, (174), 232-239.e2.
