The Way Forward

Abstract

This chapter argues that safe reduction and elimination of restraint and related restrictive behavior management practices is relatively easy and does not depend on sophisticated knowledge of behavioral technology. There are examples of people with little technical knowledge doing so quite effectively for over 200 years. We continue to use procedures, such as keeping children in cages, because of lack of interest in engaging in alternate strategies, legitimization of such practices, and avoidance of the effort required to solve these problems. This chapter speculates that the highly reinforcing nature of terminating or minimizing aversive behavior is other people is responsible for the continued use of such practices. Some people also find such practices highly rewarding because of not only terminating aversive client behavior but also the thrill of social dominance. Without training and oversight to learn and implement alternate strategies, services and families will continue to engage in such practices. The chapter suggests that we should not wait for white knights to come over the hill to rescue us, but rather tend our own gardens today.