1

PBS-Nevada Presents:

Building Cooperative

Behavior

Nevada Disabilities ConferenceJuly 20, 2015

Ashley Greenwald, M.A., BCBAChristine O’Flaherty, M.S., BCBA

Nevada PBISNevada Positive Behavior Interventions and Support Technical Assistance

Center

Project areas:– Individual & family behavior support (state funded)– School-Wide PBS (federally funded)– Organization/Agency PBS

PBS-NV Individual and Family Support is a statewide collaboration between: – Fund for Healthy Nevada (PBS funding statutory)– Nevada Aging & Disability Services– Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities at UNR

The Tools You Will Learn Today

1. Arrange the environment2. Offer choices3. Stay close4. Pivot5. Use reinforcement

WHAT IS BEHAVIOR

What is Behavior?

Building Cooperative Learning

Everything a person does is

behavior- thoughts,

feelings, and actions.

It can be observed and measured!It is a result of past

and present experiences.

…but the most important thing is what happens AFTER

behavior!

Ways In Which Acting-out Behavior Manifests

Running away Physical/Verbal aggression Verbal abuse Serious confrontations Threats Sexually Vandalism Defiance Non-Compliance Withdrawn

(Bos & Vaughn, 2002; Colvin, 2004)

Behavior Myths and Truths

MythsS/He is just doing that:• to annoy me• to be naughty• to be mean• because of a disability

“Kids do well if they want to”

TruthsS/He is trying to:• communicate something• get what they want

S/He doesn’t know any other way

“Kids do well if they can”

How do we Normally “Treat Behavior?”

• Respond once a negative behavior occurs

• Ignore those that are doing the “right thing”

• Develop treatments around consequences

• Attribute the problem behavior to the person

How are Behaviors Learned?

Antecedent Behavior Consequence

Functions of Behavior

Behavior

Get

Get Away

Attention

Tangible(objects, activities)

Sensory

10

The Behavior Scale

Desired Behavior Problem Behavior

PREVENTION STRATEGIES

12

Start Tipping The Scale With Supportive Environments!

13

Desirable Behaviors Undesirable Behaviors

The more we PREVENT

problem behavior. The

more our scales will tip in

the right direction

Environment

Creating Optimal Environments

• Gather information• Think ahead • Be Prepared• Create predictable routines• Offer choices*

Examples Of Arranging The Environment!

A) setting up group activities before the children arrive so they can go straight to something

B) Having a variety of activities available so that there is more likely to be something that everyone will enjoy

C) Ensuring that there aren't places that aren't easily supervised available to the kids

Pick the best

example

Keep Tipping The Scale With Choices!

17

Desirable Behaviors Undesirable Behaviors

Environment

Choices

Offer Choices

• We all like to have some say about what we do and when!

• What are some choices you made today?

Choices Can…

• Increase the likelihood of complying with instructions

• Build self-determination

• Gives the individual a sense of control over their environment

Why We Tend to Limit Choices

• “Bad choices” could be harmful

• Not knowing how to offer choices to individuals who have limited language, limited understanding

• Response time in making choices

20

Choice Examples

What you want: “Go play ball”Choice: “What do you want to do? You can either play a game or go

outside.”

What you want: “Go play and make friends”Choice: “Do you want to try art with Mike or play ball with Sara?”

What you want: “Go to the bathroom”Choice: “Do you want to go to the bathroom now or when we leave to

the fieldtrip”

Examples Of Choice!

A) The choices should all be acceptable

B) The choices should be as open as possible in a situation

C) The choices shouldn't be aversive

Pick the best

example

Keep tipping the scale with Stay Close!

23

Desirable Behaviors Undesirable Behaviors

The more we PAY off

appropriate behavior by

attending to it..the more

our scales will tip in the

right direction

Stay Close

Environment

Choices

Stay Close

What is “Stay Close”?

Attending to your assigned group by frequently:being near, being attentive, just talking, and listening

Some Steps for Stay Close

– Staying calm– Neutral voice– Positive interactions – Listening– Light touch– Use empathy

25

IndividualLess Angry

Less AggressiveMore PositiveMore MindingHave More Fun

Feel More SecureHappier

CaregiverRecognize good behavior

and ignore badShow lots of positivity

and attentionAre less angry

Have less power strugglesHave more funAre happier!

Positive Cycle

Examples of Stay Close!

A) Stay genuine

B) Promotes open discussion so when something important comes up you are more likely to be informed about it

C) The more involved you are the better you will be able to anticipate and avoid possible problems through environmental arrangement

Pick the best

example

Let’s Tip the Scales with Pivot!

28

Desirable Behaviors

Undesirable Behaviors

Stay Close

Pivot

Environment

Choices

When we withhold our attention during the

occurrence of junk by turning to someone

something else, we call this “pivoting.”

When we see junk, we turn to desirable

behavior or activities.

29

Pivot

Steps to Pivot

1. Do not say anything about the junk behavior!

• Examples: Do not say “stop that now!” or “quit doing that!”

30

Steps to Pivot

2. Do not do anything to react to the junk behavior

– Examples: Rolling your eyes, stomping out of the room, and crossing your arms.

31

Steps to Pivot

3. Actively attend to another person, or activity

Examples: praise another individual for behaving appropriately

32

Steps to Pivot

4. Provide REINFORCEMENT for the appropriate behavior to the individual who displayed junk as soon as you

see appropriate behavior.– Examples: praise, high five, item and privilege

33

Remember…...

Stay Cool

34

What’s An Example Of Junk Behavior?

A) Whining

B) Eye rolling

C) Complaining

D) All the above

Pick the best

example

Really Tip the Scales with

Reinforcement!

36

Desirable Behaviors

Undesirable Behaviors

Use Reinforcement

Stay Close

Pivot

Environment

Choices

Increase Positive Interactions

• Catch the individual being good!

• Provide positive attention and praise more often than negative (or punitive) attention.

• Have fun!

What is Praise?

Praise looks like…– Wink– Smile– Pat on the back– High five– Others??

Praise sounds like…• “You are playing so well

together!”• Initiate positive interactions:

– Asking if assistance is required– Asking to join in!

• Providing positive feedback regarding appropriate behavior

• 5:1 Ratio of positive to negative statements*

5:1 Ratio

Individuals should experience positive interactions (ratio of 5 positives for every 1 negative)

Positive Interactions= Praise statements and Encouragement statements

Negative Interactions= Corrective statements

Neutral Interactions = Instructional statements

Redirect then Reinforce

• While you’re looking for children to “catch being good,” you may find children making the wrong choices – then what?

• Instead of attending to the inappropriate behavior, redirect the child to a more appropriate activity or behavior– Tell them what to do instead, rather than what

NOT to do!

Positive Reinforcement Is:

A) Introducing something following a behavior that gets you more of that behavior

B) It should be something the individual likes, not just something you do

C) If you are seeing more of the behavior you don't have a reinforcer

Pick the best

example

PBS-NV & PARENT VOICE

42

PBS-NV Family Support Workshops

Tier I = Universal strategies

• PBS 101

Tier II = Targeted interventions • Potty Pros• Picky Eaters• Routines and Transitions• Functional

Communication Training

Tier III = Individualized, function-based, comprehensive supports • Addressing Challenging

Behavior

Funded by DHHS Fund for Healthy Nevada

Thank You!

We hope you enjoyed this training!Visit our website for additional resources and to

explore our topic specific courses!

www.nevadapbis.orgLike us on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/pbsnv

45