Compare And Contrast And Descriptive Outbursts

Both indirect and descriptive assessments indicate similar function to outbursts. The behavior appears to most often serve as away for Paula to access social reinforcement in the way of escape, access to tangible items and or activities, and attention. Both at home and in community settings the likelihood of a behavioral episode is heightened by presentation of an aversive stimuli, which can include the denial, delay, or limitation of the social reinforcement Paula is seeking at the time. Attempts of escape from aversive stimuli is generally seen with the presentation of a non-preferred task, instruction, feedback or limitation placed. Paula displays low tolerance to situations in which she does not receive immediate gratification to access desired item or activity, as well as when she perceives others are not fully attentive when she is expressing some form of discontent or wants to argue a point she is making. As an example, Paula recently engaged in a behavioral episode after her mother was not able to take her to the Discovery Science Center because she was medically indisposed. She also engaged in load vocalization and arguing when her mother told her they would not be visiting the center until the following week.
Scripting past experiences in which her parents, direct-care staff or teachers may have implemented a rule, boundary or provided feedback often causes escalation into a behavioral episode. These situations can appear occur without cause during both preferred and non-preferred environments. Lack of sleep or the days leading up to her menstrual cycle can lead to behavioral incidents, as Paula is not able to recognize or appropriately communicate discomfort or