The purpose of this chapter is to establish guidelines and
incorporate best practices for the application of Applied Behavior Analysis
principles and strategies to assist people demonstrating significant deficits
or excesses in the areas of communication, activities of daily living (ADLs)
and self-help skills, social and behavioral challenges including people with
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism Spectrum Disorder includes any of the
Pervasive Developmental Disorders in the most recent edition of the
International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD) or Autism Spectrum
Disorder in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, or in the editions of the International Statistical
Classification of Diseases or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders in effect at the time of diagnosis.
A. The provider must develop policies and
procedures that address all components of service provision including
identification assessments, treatment plans, behavior plans, caregiver
involvement, data collection methods, admission, coordination of care, and
transition and discharge plans including treatment follow-up.
B. Documentation of consents, assessment
procedures and results, baseline behavior measurements and recordings,
treatment plans, and treatment baseline and outcomes must be included in the
person's record.
C. Eligibility
criteria include a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, an eligibility
determination for Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment, when
medically necessary.
It is the intent of this service to alter social and learning
environments along with developing functional skills necessary to assist people
to thrive in their homes and communities and/or prevent hospitalizations or
out-of-home placements. Applied Behavior Analysis Services include empirically
validated methods that are designed to build effective contingencies and
support to facilitate optimal functioning for people who receive such
services.
All services are provided in accordance with the Mississippi
Division of Medicaid's current Administrative Code and the State Plan under
Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program.
D. Services must be provided by
people licensed in the state of Mississippi as a Licensed Behavior Analyst or
Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst under the supervision of a Licensed
Behavior Analyst. Behavior Technicians must be certified as Registered Behavior
Technicians and listed with the State Licensure Board under a supervising
Licensed Behavior Analyst. Licensed Psychologists whose scope of practice,
training, and competence include Applied Behavioral Analysis may provide
Applied Behavior Analysis Services.
E. A personnel record must be maintained on
all employees and include information as indicated in Chapter 11. Evidence of
continuing education hours to maintain current licensing requirements must also
be included in the personnel record.
F. Applied Behavior Analysis Services
include:
1. Problem-Identification Assessment
by licensed personnel including the following processes as deemed appropriate
by licensed personnel.
(a) Review of file
information about the person's medical status, prior assessments, and prior
treatments.
(b) Stakeholder
interviews and/or rating scales.
(c) Review of assessments by other
professionals.
(d) Direct
observation and measurement of the person's behavior in structured and
unstructured situations.
(e)
Determination of baseline levels of adaptive and maladaptive
behaviors.
(f) Functional behavior
analysis.
(g) Selection of
treatment targets in collaboration with family members or
stakeholders.
(h) Development of
written protocols for treating and measuring all treatment targets.
2. Development, monitoring, and
management of Behavior Support Plans directed by licensed professionals which
includes Adaptive Behavior Treatment with Protocol Modification, Exposure
Adaptive Behavior Treatment with Protocol Modification, Adaptive Behavior
Treatment by Protocol by Technician, Family Behavior Treatment Guidance, Group
Adaptive Behavior Treatment by Protocol, and/or Adaptive Behavior Treatment
with Treatment Protocol.
G. Once skill acquisition has occurred,
generalization training must be put in place so that skills are used across
settings to maximize treatment for the person.
