Unit 22: ABA and School Readiness: Building Positive Behavior
ABA and School Readiness are interconnected because ABA intervention can help children with developing the skills and behaviors essential for school readiness. ABA helps children to adapt to their school, and the expectations of others, and deal with any challenges they might have. ABA Therapy is not only about helping children but also do the work of helping parents and teachers to create a better learning environment for the children. ABA teaches children to act the right way to improve their school readiness. In addition to that, we’ll provide some recommendations and resources on how to apply ABA methods both at home and school.
What are Positive Behavior Supports in ABA?
Positive behavior support (PBS) refers to the set of scientifically tested strategies that aim to enhance the quality of life and reduce problem behavior in children by teaching new skills and modifying their environment. These underlying principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), which is a scientific approach used to understand and modify human behavior, principally form the foundation of PBS. ABA focuses consistently on observing, measuring, and analyzing mechanisms that help in identifying the outcomes and consequences of behavior and in designing suitable interventions that are ethical.
Whereas ABA is focused on the reprehensive and retributive strategies of a reaction, PBS rather views the positive and proactive paradigm as effective methods. Along with that, individual-oriented planning, cooperation, and transforming the system are the other principal elements of PBS. PBS` goal is to enhance the dignity, autonomy, and healthy life of the people who get help, their families, and their community.
What are Positive Behavior Techniques?
Positive behavior techniques rely on learning theories and the principles of Behavior Analysis, which describe that behavior is driven by its antecedents (consequences of what happened before) and resulting consequences (what happened after).
Some examples of positive behavior techniques are:
- Establishing clear and realistic goals and standards for appropriate behavior.
- Giving options and alternatives to increase the level of motivation and autonomy.
- Creating a system of praise, feedback, and reward that celebrates good behavior.
- Dismissing or redirecting minor negative behaviors that are not harmful or causing disruption.
- Teaching alternatives or replacements that are more appropriate and reasonable.
- Application of natural or logical consequences as a deterrent to any negative behaviors.
- Reminders, signals, and prompts that can be used to tell the person about the upcoming action.
- Positive role modeling and demonstrating good behavior.
Positive behavior strategies could be applied successfully to anyone requiring assistance with their behavior, such as children, teens, adults, or individuals with special needs. Positive behavior schemes can be applied in different situations, including at home, school, work, or in the community. Behavioral techniques based on positive reinforcement are proven to be effective ethical methods for improving behavior and wellness.
Why is Positive Behavior Support Important for Children’s Well-Being?
The positive behavior support is very important in assisting the children in the accomplishment of their set goals and in having better lives. The positive effect of such an approach is not only in the lives of the individual children but also the families, communities, and society in general as it reduces harmful behaviors and promotes positive social relationships. Here are some key reasons why positive behavior support is critical:
Respect for Dignity and Agency 👨⚕️
👉People exposed to positive behavior support (PBS) feel great respect for their dignity and power to act.
👉It aims at individualized planning, partnership, and self-determination involving no aversive or coercive methods to minimize the violation of human rights.
Evidence-Based Practices 👨⚕️
👉In its essence, positive behavior support is a profession that is based on science and validated practices.
👉The concept utilizes techniques such as observation, measurement, and analysis to understand human behavior and influence it. Data has precision to monitor as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented initiatives.
Inclusivity and Comprehensiveness 👨⚕️
👉It takes every aspect of the person into consideration when thinking about the setting and not only about the bad habits.
👉Such approach uses the approach of teaching new skills and mentality and it also addresses the underlying causes and functions of behavior. In this regard, it makes the space a more friendly, reliable, and adaptable environment.
Preventative and Proactive Measures 👨⚕️
👉Positive behavioral support (PBS) engages both in the prevention i.e. avoiding problem behaviors and proactivity i.e. responding to the problem behaviors.
👉The principle of this approach is focusing on behavioral change with positive reinforcement and less attention on the negative behaviors.
Effective and Ethical Behavior Modification 👨⚕️
👉Proven to be effective, positive behavior support has been proven that it can improve the situation with problem behaviors, as well as enhance the quality of life of people with various problems, requirements, and issues.
👉First of all, adopting this type of culture supports the development of social-emotional competence, better academic performance, and a healthier and safer student-centered learning environment that benefits both students and teachers.
What is Positive Behavior Techniques in ABA Therapy for Child in the School Readiness Program?
The positive behavior techniques of ABA therapy for children in school readiness programs aim at enhancing desirable behaviors and decreasing inappropriate behaviors using rewards and consequences. Positive behavior techniques used in ABA therapy for children in school readiness programs include:
Positive Reinforcement is a technique, which involves incentivizing or reinforcing the preferred behavior through rewards or reinforcing stimulus. Verbal praise, physical rewards, activities children like, token economy systems, social attention, and recognition, redirection to the activities one would like, and provision of access to the preferred activities or items are some examples.
Shaping is a technique that includes but is not limited to breaking down a complicated behavior into smaller steps and then reinforcing each step until a final goal is achieved. Stimulation of a child through clapping, for example, using one finger, then two fingers, and so on.
Chaining is a technique of linking two or more behaviors in a sequence with reinforcements being implemented after the completion of each behavior is known as ‘chaining’. To instill politeness in a child, one can teach him/her to say “please” before making a request by simply saying “please”, then asking for something, then saying “thank you”, and so forth.
Prompting is an approach whereby clues, reminders, or signs are introduced to bring out a targeted behavior desired. A picture card or a word can illustrate for a child what they are supposed to do.
Fading is a technique in which the frequency or intensity of reinforcement is gradually reduced over time until the behavior becomes independent. For example, begin with frequent praise and gradually reduce it to occasional praise until the child no longer requires it
This kind of technique serves as evidence- that they indeed improve the quality of life of people who have autism.
What are the Differences between ABA and PBS?
ABA and PBS both follow learning theory but their differences lie in focus, approach, and evidence-based practice. Here are some of the main points:
👨⚕️Applied Behavioral Analysis is a scientific method that helps people learn new behaviors and improve existing ones by using techniques based on behavioral principles.
👨⚕️ABA manipulates behavior by tweaking the antecedents (what happens before) and the consequences (what happens after) of a target behavior. This can be used in situations such as coping with challenging behavior/unwanted behavior or learning a new skill.
👨⚕️Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is a conceptual framework based on providing for all basic needs and understanding the factors that motivate behavior.
👨⚕️PBS mainly works on the prevention of challenging behavior by modifying the environment and addressing the antecedents. Such a practice is advisable when the conduct is injurious one can self-harm, or harm others or property, thereby reducing risk and disruption.
The concern of PBS is the lack of addressing the consequences of the behavior. This implies that PBS typically has fewer immediate learning opportunities than an ABA program, and behavior change may take much longer to obtain.
The main difference between ABA and PBS is how they cater to the needs of your child/young person so they can both change behavior and provide a learning atmosphere that is nurturing.
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Frequently Asked Questions & Answer
What are positive behavior supports in ABA?
Positive behavior support is a community-based approach that entails learning more about a child’s or adult’s environment and working collaboratively with everyone in that setting to design strategies for promoting positive social and communication skills.
How do you Promote Positive Behaviour in Autism?
Encourage the use of a calm-down zone: Teach him to recognize the signs that he should go there. This is a constructive strategy, not a punitive one. Create reinforcement systems: Use simple, predictable processes to reward desired behavior in your child.
What are the 4 Elements of Positive Behavior's support?
- Person-Centered Methodology.
- The use of positive reinforcement.
- Collaboration and teamwork.
- Intervention based on assessment.
- Being proactive rather than reactive.
- An approach based on outcomes.
What are the Six Behavioral Strategies for School Readiness?
- Be Aware of Your Own Reaction.
- Maintain Rational Distancing.
- Pay attention.
- Make use of positive self-talk.
- Recognize Your Boundaries.
- Debrief.
Conclusion
Positive behavior supports (PBS) and positive behavior strategies (PBS) are ABA concepts and benefits. PBS and ABA have also been shown to help children develop school-ready skills and behaviors such as following directions, taking turns, sharing, cooperating, and listening. Other PBS ideas for improving School Readiness in your classroom include setting clear goals, providing alternatives, using praise and feedback, teaching alternative behaviors, and using prompts and reminders.
Please Note: The content of this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance tailored to your specific situation.
Bhavika Bhasin (Author)
Bhavika Bhasin is the Research and Marketing officer at AutismCOE. She works with children and adults with ASD. Her clinical research includes evaluating various available autism screening and diagnosis methods and their efficacy. She is currently developing a novel screening exam that is indicated to be more accurate than the existing available exams. She is also writes articles papers for various publications.
