Behavioural Rehabilitation Program
Behaviour change is difficult for any individual to accomplish. The process however, can be infinitely more difficult for those who are living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments associated with an injury. Successful reintegration into the community and return to activities of choice is often dependent on the individual’s ability to modify maladaptive behaviors that may result from the injury. These maladaptive behaviours can be categorized as behavioural excesses or behavioural deficits and are the most predominant barriers to a client's participation and progress in their rehabilitation programming. In order to appropriately address goal oriented rehabilitation programming, the behavioural needs of the client must be assessed and addressed.
The purpose of the behaviour consultation program is to assist treatment teams and their families in clarifying, via a comprehensive assessment, the extent of the behavioural concerns and to objectively delineate where treatment and management strategies would be effective. This is accomplished by the collection of measurable and quantifiable data that assists with decision making and programmatic monitoring and followup. In addition to this process, we are able to formulate, train and implement behavioural support plans to guide, monitor and assist with targeted program goals. Our behaviour consultation team operates using a three tiered system of service which includes the behaviour consultants, behaviour therapy assistants, and rehabilitation support workers. This system allows for cost effective behaviour services for the client's we serve.
The behaviour consultation program operates within the following three phases:
1. Behaviour Assessment
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Identify and operationally define target behaviours.
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Identify possible functions of the behaviour.
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Data collection utilizing standardized ABC tracking forms.
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Guide the selection of an appropriate behaviour treatment.
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Data continues to evaluate treatment outcome and effectiveness.
2. Behaviour Treatment & Support Planning
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Environmental restructuring to change behaviour whenever possible.
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Treatment aimed at alleviating, reducing, or removing negative maladaptive behaviour.
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Identification of targeted behavioural deficits or excesses.
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Data collected assists in treatment monitoring.
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Provide rational for behaviour treatment plan.
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Extensive implementation of operant conditioning techniques.
3. Behaviour Management & Generalization
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Keeping the current behavioural targets in control.
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Stabilization of behavioural data over time may indicate movement towards a management program
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Continued data analysis.
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Continued data collection.
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Focused on community reintegration and increased independence.
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Replacement skill training.
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Social skills training.
Dr. Bruce A. Linder
Dr. Bruce Linder is a Rehabilitation Psychologist at Genesis Community Rehabilitation, Inc. He works in collaboration with Mr. Dwayne Robinson (Director of Behaviour Therapy). To learn more about Dr. Linder’s contributions to the paediatric and acquired brain injury populations please read below:
Bruce A. Linder, Ph.D., C. Psych., BCBA-D
REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGIST
Dr. Linder is a Rehabilitation Psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO). Dr. Linder received his Ph.D in 1985 from McMaster University in Experimental Psychology (Developmental). He gained experience with both children and adults through his internships at the Behavioural Medicine Unit at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton, Ontario and at the Hamilton Board of Education in 1984-1986. He has been registered with the CPO since 1986, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the Doctoral level and is a member of the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology (CRHSPP).
Dr. Linder’s designated areas of practice are in rehabilitation and counseling psychology for children, adolescents, adults, families and organizations. He is currently the Consulting Psychologist to the Niagara Catholic District School Board. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour at McMaster University. Dr. Linder continues to oversee the assessment and treatment of children and adults with developmental, intellectual, mental health and complex behavioural needs, which includes providing psychological counseling, psychotherapy and behavioural therapy to these populations.
Current and past research interests have included program evaluations of school-based violence prevention programs, individualized and group remedial educational programs with learning disabled children, conflict resolution training, cognitive behavioural therapy groups and determinants of quality of life for adults with acquired brain injuries, and caregiver styles among service providers for developmentally disabled individuals.
Dr. Linder is the co-founder of Pryor, Linder and Associates, a practice that prides itself for its work in clinical and educational psychology for over 30 years. Dr. Linder is also a Director with Safe Management Group Inc. and Autism Behaviour Habilitation Services. Dr. Linder is an approved clinical supervisor for families looking for service delivery through the Direct Funding Option (DFO).