Risks,choices and behavioral treatment

Recent arguments against the use of intrusive behavioral interventions in the treatment of handicapped people are examined. The anti-aversive position was found to be based on assumptions about the negative impact of aversive procedures, and to consider only a small subset of the variables that should be taken into account when treatment decisions are made. A preliminary application of formal decision-analysis techniques that have been developed in response to other controversial technologies had a number of benefits including: (a) sharpening the distinction between scientific and social criteria; (b) sensitizing decision-makers and scientists to the range of costs, risks, and benefits associated with treatment decisions; and (c) identifying critical areas of research. Decision-analysis techniques were found to be helpful in directing scientists and policy-makers towards more informed decision-making.