Using Didactic Teaching and Behavior Skills Training with Parents to Promote Function-based Responding to Child Challenging Problem Behavior

Author

Kirby Johnson, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleFollow

Date of Award

8-1-2017

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Behavior Analysis and Therapy

First Advisor

Dixon, Mark

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate if a novel approach to the didactic component of Behavior Skills Training (BST) would have an effect on parent treatment integrity responding to child problem behavior. During baseline, the researcher observed parent responses to child problem behavior across brief intervals. Additionally, a foundational ABA concepts didactic session took place with the researcher. In the second phase, parents participated in didactic learning sessions to learn about functions of behavior, as well as the appropriate function-based responses to their child’s problem behavior outlined in his/her Behavior Intervention Plan. During the BST phase, the researcher modeled function-based responding and/or provided performance feedback to parents on their correct or incorrect responses to child problem behavior. Results showed that the novel approach to the didactic component in BST was effective at increasing parent correct responding to child problem behavior for 2 out of 3 families.