D.9 Apply single-case experimental designs

When working to help a child improve their behavior, it's important to find out what strategies or interventions will work best for them. One way to do this is by using Single-Case Experimental Designs (SCEDs). These are special types of experiments where we focus on one child at a time to see how different strategies affect their behavior.

SCEDs are methods used to test how well a specific intervention works for one child or a small group. These designs allow us to see if a strategy is effective for a particular behavior by comparing the child's behavior before and after an intervention. The key idea is that the child "serves as their control"—meaning we look at how their behavior changes based on different approaches.

• Focus on one child at a time: SCEDs are useful when you need to see what works for a specific child, not just in a group.

• Understand the cause-and-effect relationship: SCEDs help us understand how a particular intervention leads to changes in behavior.

• Personalized approach: This method allows us to adjust the intervention based on the child's progress, making it highly tailored to their needs.

When to Use SCEDs: Examples and Designs

1. Changing Criterion Design When to Use: This is ideal when the behavior is already happening, and you want to gradually improve or change it in small steps. Example: A child is currently completing one math problem per day. With this design, you can set a new goal each week, like moving from one problem to two, then three, and so on, to slowly increase the child’s progress without overwhelming them.

2. Alternating Treatments Design When to Use: This design is perfect if you want to compare two or more interventions to see which one works best. Example: You may want to compare the effects of using praise versus a reward system (like a sticker chart) to encourage a child to stay focused during reading time.

3. Reversal Design (ABAB) When to Use: This design helps show whether there is a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the intervention and the behavior. Example: You could test if giving a child a reward system increases the number of steps they take each day. You can add the reward system, remove it, and then add it again to see if the child’s behavior changes accordingly (i.e., more steps when the reward system is in place).

Single-case experimental designs are a powerful way to figure out what works for a child's behavior. By applying these designs, you can:

• See which interventions are most effective: SCEDs help you determine which strategies work best for your child’s unique needs.

• Track progress over time: These designs allow you to monitor changes in behavior step-by-step.

• Create personalized, evidence-based strategies: With SCEDs, you can tailor interventions that are backed by data, ensuring that your child gets the most appropriate support.

  
  

Using Single-Case Experimental Designs (SCEDs) gives parents and teachers a structured way to experiment with different interventions and see what truly helps a child succeed. By focusing on one child at a time and adjusting interventions based on their needs, SCEDs lead to more effective and personalized support.