LATENCY OF RESPONSE DURING THE FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF ELOPEMENT

Abstract

Elopement is a dangerous behavior sometimes exhibited by individuals with intellectual disabilities. We conducted trial-based functional analyses in which latency was the index of elopement for 2 students. Two unobtrusive safety monitors were placed outside the building to eliminate potential confounding caused by having to retrieve a student. Results of both students' assessments indicated that elopement served multiple functions. Results are discussed in terms of the study's methodological and applied implications.