Family Wellness WorkshopBehavior Support

Effectively Supporting Children with Challenging Behavior Through Research-Based PBS Strategies

Research Fact

Problem behavior occurs for the following reasons:

Obtain Attention Obtain Activities or Items

Escape from Attention or Activities

Escape or Obtain Physiological Stimulation

Sugai & Horner, 2001

Research Fact

Multi-component intervention plans or multiple layers of

support are in fact the best way to establish effective

comprehensive strategies for addressing challenging

behavior.

Carr, Levin, McConnachie, Carlson, Kemp, Smith, 1999

Research Fact

Research indicates that one way to effectively support

children with problem behavior is to build skills through effective

teaching

Carr et al., 2002; Horner, Albin, Sprague, & Todd, 2000

Research Fact

Efficacy data indicate that PBS intervention strategies were

effective for all problem behavior examined with as much as 80% reductions in

challenging behavior.

Carr et. al., 1999

Research Fact

PBS was more effective when a functional assessment was used to design behavioral

interventions and strategies

Carr et. al., 1999

Positive Behavior Support

Every problem behavior happens for a reason. Figure out why!!

Stop behaviors before they start, prevention rather than reaction.

Keep a big back of tricks. Challenging behavior can get

better.

Understanding function

How does function function?

Functions of Behavior

Obtain Attention Desire for activities or items Escape from attention or

activities Escape or obtain physiological

stimulation

Functions Quiz

Examples Can you identify the function in

each scenario? Can you share an example of

when your child engaged in problem behavior for one of these reasons?

Coercive Interaction Patterns

How do coercive interaction patterns impact parents and their children?

Avoiding Escalation

Do not initiate contact with your child when he or she appears to be agitated

Do not allow yourself to become “engaged” through a series of questions and answers initiated by the child

Do not attempt to force the child to participate when agitated

Walker, Ramsey & Gresham, 2003

Escalating Sequence of Behavior

Ticket to Success

An easy way to address problem behavior systematically

Tickets to Success

Describe problem behavior Understand why it occurs (that

is, the reason for the behavior, or the “function” of the problem behavior)

Choose some positive intervention strategies using the questions on the back as a guide

Tickets To Success

Behavior Why? Strategies

Ticketto

Success

Intervention Ideas to Consider

StrategiesCan I change the environment, or routine or schedule to change this behavior?Can I reward or acknowledge a positive behavior instead?Can I teach a new skill to replace this behavior?Can I think of more than one way to address this behavior in a positive way?What can I do to prevent this behavior in the future?

Environment and Routine

Can I change the environment, routine or schedule to impact this behavior?

What are ways that you can change the environment, routine or schedule that might have an impact on your child’s behavior?

Praise and Reward

Can I praise or reward a positive behavior instead?

Can you think of a positive behavior you could praise or reward instead of a challenging behavior?

How might you praise or reward?

Teach

Can I teach a new skill to replace this problem behavior?

Can you think of a replacement behavior or skill you would like your child to have instead of this one?

Can you think of ways you might teach it?

Multiple Interventions

Can I think of more than one way to address this challenging behavior?

Can you think of multiple ways to address your child’s challenging behavior?

What are those ways?

Prevention

What can I do to prevent this behavior from occurring in the future?

How might you prevent this problem behavior in your child?

What are some of the cues that this behavior may occur?

Articles for Reference

Weaving Intervention into the Fabric of Everyday Life: An approach to Family Assessment (Bernheimer & Keogh, 1995)

Contextual Fit for Behavioral Support Plans (Koegel, Koegel, & Dunlap, 1996)

Positive Behavior Support: Evolution of an Applied Science (Carr, et. al., 2002)

Positive Behavior Support with Families (Lucyshyn, Dunlap, & Albin, 2002)

Resources

Online academy PBS modulewww.onlineacademy.org

OSEP Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supportswww.pbis.org

Thank You

We Believe Each

Child Is Unique and

Has Infinite Potential

Contact Information

Amy McCart, Ph.D. University of KansasCo-Director, PBS Research & Consultationamccart@kc.rr.com816-719-3393

University of Kansas PBS Research TeamAmy McCart, Rachel Freeman, Peter Griggs,

Nikki Wolf, Jamie ThomasJCDS TeamBeth Stockwell, Joanna Seaman, Michael

Tucker