| Brief Description |
Applied behavior analysts are interested in solving problems that matter to people, and there is little that matters more to people than their physical health. As a result, applied behavior analysts have been tackling problems of physical health for decades. But this research is not always easy to find, as it is often disseminated via conferences and journals outside of applied behavior analysis. This chapter reviews three programs of research in applied behavior analysis that have addressed prevention and treatment of chronic medical problems in children, including: recurrent headaches, distress during invasive dental procedures, and vocal dysphonias. All three demonstrate the application of behavioral principles to solve significant health-related problems. These reviews provide guidance in the treatment of these specific medical problems, and also serve as a model for how applied behavior analysts might conduct programs of research with medical problems. |
