Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 38, September 20, 2024
a) Adaptive behaviors are actions and
responses which are productive and appropriate. Maladaptive behaviors are
actions and responses which are nonproductive and/or inappropriate. Although
maladaptive behaviors are generally described as nonproductive and
inappropriate, in some cases, an individual's inappropriate behavior may be
productive, given the social or environmental context of a particular activity.
Behavior development refers to both the reduction in maladaptive behaviors and
the increase in adaptive behaviors. A behavior program instituted because of
maladaptive behaviors must also include the development of adaptive behaviors.
Additional reimbursement is paid for an individual who needs and receives
specialized care for a behavioral disability (Section
144.275(c)(1)
), when the individual's behavior development program meets the criteria in
subsection (b)(1) of this Section.
b) Behavior Development Program Levels
1) Behavior development programs under
Specialized Care are related to maladapative behaviors which occur with high
frequency and/or great severity. A behavior development program, including the
use of psychotropics, which is developed for Specialized Care, must meet all
federal and State requirements including, but not limited to, development by
the IDT, review and approval by a Behavior Management Committee (or Human
Rights Committee) as required by
42 CFR
483.440(f)(3), 1993 and
approval by the individual or guardian, if the individual is not capable of
providing informed consent. The behavior development program developed by the
IDT must demonstrate the need for a use of a more intensive staffing pattern
(direct care staff) than that pattern which is reimbursed for under Section
144.275(a)(1).
Additional staff time provided under Specialized Care is a response to a
necessary increase in staff intensity identified in the behavior development
plan when other attempted interventions have failed, such as environmental
changes or changes in the pattern of activities throughout the day. Specialized
Care is not provided based solely on the frequency or severity of the
individual's maladaptive behavior.
2) Behavior development program services
under Specialized Care do not preclude the individual's participation in
regular training services, activities and therapies as part of a comprehensive
active treatment program.
3) The
IDT provides highly specific guidelines for the individual's behavior
development program relative to treatment methodology, services needed, and
staff needed to deliver interventions.
A)
Level I - Behavior development program services are delivered by staff
specifically trained in the delivery of the prescribed interventions. Behaviors
occur with high frequency but moderate severity, i.e., verbal abuse one or more
times per 4 hours which is hostile in tone or content including threats or
screaming, or pica occurring once per 4 hours in volumes small enough to be
non-life threatening. Examples of staffing pattern changes: The staffing
pattern for persons with mild mental retardation increases from the regular
pattern of 1:6.8 to 1:4.8,
and for persons with severe-profound mental retardation from 1:4.8
to 1:3.7.
B) Level II - Behavior
development programs are delivered by staff trained in the delivery of each
individual's intervention plan. Individuals receive personalized intervention,
such as individual counseling or some one-to-one intervention. Behaviors occur
with high frequency, and are aggressive or destructive, such as purposeful
attacks of others resulting in minimal injuries one or more times per day.
Examples of staffing pattern changes: The staffing pattern for persons with
mild mental retardation increases from the regular pattern of 1:6.8 to 1:3.7,
and for persons with severe-profound mental retardation from 1:4.8
to 1:3.
C) Level III - Behavior
development programs are delivered by staff who are specifically trained to
deliver the interventions. Generally, staff may be assigned to accompany the
individual throughout the shift. One-to-one intervention is common. Behaviors
occur with very high frequency, such as hyperactivity one or more times per
minute, or occur with high frequency and are aggressive, assaultive or
destructive, such as pica (daily consumption of life threatening materials), or
daily physical assault resulting in injuries requiring medical attention.
Examples of staffing pattern changes: The staffing pattern for persons with
mild mental retardation increases from the regular pattern of 1:6.8 to 1:2.5,
and for persons with severe-profound mental retardation from 1:4.8
to 1:2.