Positive Behavior Support Strategy (PBS)
Translated by A. Survival of Ramadan
What is positive behavior support?
Positive behavior support is a set of research-based strategies used to improve quality of life and reduce behavioral problems by teaching new skills and changing an individual’s environment. Positive behavior support includes:
Evaluation of outcomes and results of the intervention:
in the past, Positive behavior support strategies are designed to reduce behavioral problems without considering how these interventions affect other areas of an individual’s life. Although the intervention was designed to reduce behavioral problems, it gave limited results by focusing on supporting and modifying the targeted behavior only. Now, the effectiveness of the behavior support plan is evaluated according to criteria different from the current standards. The effectiveness of the intervention is measured if the results lead to the individual’s success and increased personal satisfaction. Social skills are also enhanced through the individual’s surrounding work, education, and entertainment environments. It is important that the results include increased quality of life determined by the individual’s preferences and needs, Which changes his lifestyle for the better.
The relationship between positive behavior support and medical examination:
Research conducted within the framework of applied behavior analysis indicates the importance of the interaction between an individual’s behavior and his surrounding environment. In behavior analysis, Environmental factors of behavior that can be changed to control behavior can be studied. Behavior modification program strategies emphasize the importance of implementing the program through normal daily life. These strategies also emphasize the importance of providing individuals with complete medical and physiological information. In the previous, Behavioral and psychological interventions were performed separately and in some cases specific collaboration between behavior analysts and medical staff was requested.
New research highlights the importance of information related to the health, psychological and biological state of the individual. On the basis of which a positive behavior support plan for the individual is developed.
Specific actions:
An individualized intervention based on the behavior analysis approach was achieved using a research method called individualized program design or individualized plan design. Individualized program designs are very effective when studying variables that influence an individual’s behavior. Specialists are often involved in many interventions while dealing with multiple and constantly changing variables. as a result, A large number of different research strategies are used to evaluate the success of positive behavioral support. These strategies involve experiments that isolate one variable while keeping all other factors constant. The behavior specialist implements many interventions on the individual’s daily life environment to measure the success of the interventions that were developed in the individual’s plan. Methods for evaluating qualitative research can include questionnaires, Evaluation scales, interviews, correlational analyses, direct monitoring, and self-reported information.
Changing regimes:
There are many positive behavior support plans that have not been implemented due to problems associated with the way those plans were developed.
These problems can be related to the quality of sources, Or problems related to employee development and team building. Problems may extend to the stage of choosing good behavioral support and its suitability for the client and the individuals responsible for implementing the plan. Following early assessment and intervention strategies is the best way to ensure the success of the behavioral plan.
Behavior support intervention plan from the Research Center for Rehabilitation and Training:
A positive behavior support plan contains summary statements that describe effective interventions to change the behavior of the targeted individual. Each intervention includes a rationale, overview, examples, issues, needs and common questions about the behaviour. The purpose of the Behavior Support Plan series is to provide information about the important elements that support the development of a behavioral plan.
Not all behavior support plans have fixed recommendations for implementation; Rather, the context of planning and evaluation is set according to the individual’s situation.
Supporting positive behavior at the school and institutional levels:
Positive behavior support plans have a community-based approach that involves learning more about the environment in which the child or adult lives. Then we work collaboratively with everyone in this framework to design strategies that enhance communication skills and positive social interaction. Reducing the target behavior is the focus of plans. So that all children and adults within the plan interact in positive and moral ways. Positive behavior support plans contain strategies to teach communication and social interaction skills and reinforce acquired skills so that all participants in implementing the plan receive the necessary support. Bearing in mind some individuals may need additional support to achieve success. Developing clear strategies early to identify individuals in need of additional support is an important part of ensuring the success of the support plan. Early intervention, allocating additional time allocated to the individual or directed to the group, and changing the environment in ways that prevent the targeted behavior from occurring are considered to maintain the skills acquired from the plan.
in the end, Comprehensive, individualized and tailored positive behavior support plans may be needed to ensure individuals get the support they need to be successful, To reduce the occurrence of the target behavior. These strategies are known as tertiary prevention strategies. Although developing a positive behavior support plan may look different in an early childhood setting, public school, or when working with adult individuals with disabilities, However, the systems and processes are similar.
Reference:
Positive Behavior Support – The Association for Positive Behavior Support (apbs.org)
