According to the reading, the six benefits of using graphs as a tool for measuring the effectiveness of interventions includes;graphs provide clear visions on the average rate of the target behavior, shows clarity in the trend of the behavior, Fluctuations in the target behavior during a given period, Detecting immediate change in the behavior, detecting overlaps of data in behavior and measuring the degree of change in the target behavior (Heron 2007). These benefits are important as they deeply analyze the behavior reactions to come up with a conclusion and remedy that can solve the behavior limitations.
In relation to sherry’s case, a graph is important in showing the behavioral trend and the fluctuations in the behavior. In a behavioral trend, Sherry’s graph was descending during the prior intervention, which means the hand biting was increasing. The FBA and BCBA came up with different interventions through DRA which shows a positive response to her behavior. Through the behavior’s trend the BCBA was able to come up with effective intervention. The fluctuations in target behavior are also effective. In sherry’s case it helps in determining the effectiveness of an intervention. Before and after the DRA, the fluctuation in Sherry’s behavior shows how effective the DRA intervention was.
Based on the graph the DRA was an effective intervention in reducing Sherry’s hand biting behavior. Before the DRA was introduced on day 11, sherry’s hand biting incidents were continuous and increasing. From day 11 the incidences started deteriorating until day 20 where the hand biting stopped. This is enough proof that the DRA was effective. The purpose of reversal design was to provide a replication procedure to show the effectiveness of the DRA intervention (Wolf, Risley 1968). If the DRA was appropriate or inappropriate in solving the sherry’s hand biting behavior. The reversal design used in the graph is ABA. Sherry’s behavior was measured in three phases; baseline, treatment, and return to treatment phase respectively