Effects of Behavior Specialists' Use of Coaching and Performance Feedback Via Telehealth to Train Parents of Children with Challenging Behavior

This study used a concurrent multiple-probe across three mother-child dyads with a non-concurrent addition of a fourth mother-child dyad to assess the extent to which behavior specialists’ use of coaching and performance feedback via telehealth effects the degree to which the parent implements the multi-component behavior support plan (BSP) strategies with fidelity in their home to decrease their child’s challenging behavior. Four behavior specialists and four mothers with their children who exhibit mild to moderate behavior participated in this study. The research question examined if a functional relation exists between implementation of coaching and performance feedback from the behavior specialists via the telehealth model on the parents’ level of implementation fidelity of the strategies in the BSP and the improvement in the level of child’s target challenging behavior and adaptive behavior. Results indicate the efficacy of coaching and performance feedback via telehealth in improving parent treatment fidelity. These results support the use of telehealth to deliver training on multi-component interventions. Additionally, participating behavior specialists and parents indicated that they found the procedures used to be both acceptable and effective. Further implications for practice and directions for future research are discussed

Effects of a collaborative parent-professional positive behavior support team training on challenging behaviors of children with autism

Positive behavior support (PBS) involves applying individualized approaches to appropriate behaviors and reducing problem behaviors in a way that produces long-lasting improvements in a person\u27s lifestyle. To date little research is available on the effects of the PBS process on challenging behavior in the home environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of collaborative parent-professional PBS team training on challenging behaviors of children with autism. Two parent-professional teams along with two focus individuals participated in this study. The parent and professional attended one, seven-hour day training. Home observations, one-hour in length, were conducted four times per week following the team training. The effects of the team training intervention were assessed using a multiple baseline across behaviors design. Results indicated that the PBS team training was effective for decreasing challenging behaviors of children with autism

Promoting Inclusion Through Evidence-Based Alternatives to Restraint and Seclusion

The use of restraint and seclusion in schools has been identified repeatedly as an approach that is overused, misused, and potentially dangerous. In this article, we emphasize the importance of an approach to supporting students with significant problem behavior that focuses on prevention, evidence-based intervention procedures, heightened levels of monitoring, and documented professional development. While the need for the use of restraint in emergency conditions will remain, the overall rate at which restraint and seclusion are used needs to be reduced and the quality of support for students with significant problem behavior needs to improve. An example of one district that is adopting a comprehensive alternative approach is provided