10. The Key to Long Lasting Behavior Change

Welcome to Day One of the Autism Conference

Session Number: 10Title: Key to Long-lasting Behavior ChangeFacilitators: Dr. Ameris DePuglia and Dr. Lori ChamberlainHost: Catherine Pogee from Patton West

Announcements:

• Exhibits Open: Attendees are encouraged to explore exhibits, which will be available until 5 PM. Exhibits will showcase various tools, resources, and innovative practices intended to enhance autism interventions.

• Lounge Area: A designated lounge area is accessible for breaks, allowing for networking and informal discussions among participants to share experiences and resources.

• On-site Registration: Latecomers can still register on-site to join the conference activities immediately, providing an opportunity to access valuable sessions and meet experts in the field.

Introduction to Speakers:

• Dr. Ameris DePuglia: A dedicated parent champion who has successfully transitioned into professional work within the field of autism intervention. Her focus is primarily on the use of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to foster positive and lasting outcomes for children with autism, emphasizing the integration of parent perspective in professional practices.

• Dr. Lori Chamberlain: Originally a classroom teacher, Dr. Chamberlain later transitioned into the field of behavioral health. With extensive expertise in applied behavior analysis, she is committed to enhancing educational practices for individuals with autism and advocates for systemic changes in educational settings to improve student outcomes.

Session Goals:

• Addressing Practical Challenges: Explore various challenges educators face in classrooms related to problem behavior, with practical examples and discussion points to facilitate understanding and exchange of ideas among attendees.

• Techniques and Strategies: Provide effective techniques and strategies for managing and preventing problem behavior in an educational setting, focusing on proactive approaches that foster a positive learning environment.

• Emphasis on Evidence-Based Practices: Strong focus on promoting and implementing evidence-based practices within all interventions while maintaining ethical considerations in their application, ensuring that interventions are respectful and appropriate for all students.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understanding Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): Gain insights into the development and importance of IEPs tailored to meet the unique needs of each student, including the legal implications and collaborative nature of IEP development among educators, parents, and specialists.

• Focus on Individualized Goals and Interventions: Learn how to create individualized goals, with a strong emphasis on intervention strategies that are supported by rigorous research, ensuring effectiveness and accountability within educational settings.

Definition of Evidence-Based Practices:

• Criteria: Evidence-based practices are grounded in rigorous scientific research and the expertise of practitioners. They aim to enhance the effectiveness of educational interventions by bridging research and practice.

• Importance of Research: It is crucial that educators do not rely solely on personal experiences when selecting practices; rather, interventions must be based on comprehensive research findings that validate their efficacy and appropriateness for diverse learners.

Process of Implementing Interventions with Fidelity:

• Importance of Fidelity: The session will discuss why maintaining fidelity in the implementation of chosen interventions is critical for achieving desired outcomes and improving effectiveness, highlighting case studies that demonstrate successful fidelity in practice.

Evidence-Based Practices:

• Foundational Knowledge: Emphasize the significance of foundational knowledge in special education and how it relates to evidence-based practices, illustrating the interconnectedness of theory, research, and practical applications in the field.

• Long-Lasting Change: Understand that the appropriate implementation of evidence-based practices is essential for achieving meaningful and sustainable behavior change, stressing the importance of ongoing monitoring and assessment.

Challenges in Adopting Evidence-Based Practices:

• Intervention Selection: Address the difficulties educators face in selecting effective interventions due to the following factors:

  • Poor understanding of research by decision-makers, which affects intervention outcomes and compromises student success.

  • Insufficient training provided to educators and staff on effective strategies, which can lead to inconsistent application and negative outcomes.

  • Cases of misapplication of applied behavior analysis, leading to ineffective or harmful practices that can adversely affect students' behavior and learning experiences.

Role of Environment in Behavior:

• Contextual Understanding: Recognize the importance of context in understanding behavior and how it informs effective behavioral strategies. Behavior is influenced by various antecedents (triggers) and consequences (rewards), underscoring that interventions must consider the whole environment in which learning occurs.

Strategies for Long-lasting Behavior Change:

1. Reducing Motivation for Problem Behavior: Identify and understand the underlying factors that contribute to problem behavior in students to effectively mitigate them, including environmental stressors and individual student needs.

2. Teaching Alternative Behaviors: Highlight the importance of emphasizing positive behaviors, teaching students alternative responses to problem behaviors that align with their learning goals.

3. Situational and Contextual Assessments: Conduct thorough assessments of the current classroom environment and staff capabilities to identify areas for improvement, using tools such as behavior assessments and environmental audits.

4. Training Staff and Caregivers: Ensure that all individuals involved in interventions are well-trained and understand the implementation of strategies, promoting a collaborative approach across all settings (school, home, therapies).

Prevention Techniques for Reducing Problem Behaviors:

• Reinforcement Systems: Implement effective reinforcement systems tailored to student needs, ensuring recognition of positive behaviors through both tangible and intangible rewards.

• Clear Expectations: Set clear and positive expectations within the classroom to guide student behavior and enhance predictability, which is especially beneficial for students with autism.

• Active Engagement: Actively engage students in their learning, promoting participation and responsiveness through interactive lessons and strategies that address diverse learning styles.

• Positive Interaction Rates: Maintain high rates of positive interactions compared to negative feedback to cultivate a supportive classroom environment, aiming for a ratio of at least 3:1.

Managing Student Engagement:

• Statistics: Research indicates that effective classrooms provide approximately 3 opportunities for students to respond per minute, fostering a dynamic and interactive learning environment.

• Positive Interactions: The ratio of positive interactions should significantly outweigh negative interactions to maximize student engagement, highlighting the need for proactive strategies and consistent reinforcement.

Classroom Strategies:

• Reinforcement Systems: Identify what functions as reinforcement for each student, emphasizing personalization in approach to meet individual motivations and preferences.

• Effective Instructional Practices: Teach effectively to minimize downtime and misbehavior by providing clear instructions and manageable tasks, ensuring all students understand expectations.

Teaching Techniques:

• Ready Hands: Encourage students to exhibit self-regulation through clear and explicit body language prompts that signal appropriate behavior and readiness to participate.

• Prompting Appropriate Responses: Utilize verbal and non-verbal prompts to encourage students to maintain on-task behaviors and focus during lessons, supporting them in developing independence over time.

Addressing Problem Behavior:

• Promote replacement behaviors by teaching functional alternatives instead of resorting to punishment reactions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the reasons behind behaviors.

• Use principles from behavior analysis to reinforce desired behaviors actively and effectively, steering away from merely suppressing unwanted behaviors and focusing instead on teaching skills.

Conclusion and Questions:

• The focus on accurately assessing the functions of behavior is essential in driving intervention choices, ensuring that strategies are tailored to fit individual student needs.

• Acknowledge the critical importance of a systematic approach to both training and implementation of intervention strategies, advocating for ongoing professional development.

• Encourage open dialogue, questions, and collaborative discussion among attendees to enhance learning and empower educators to share best practices.

Resource Recommendations:

• Attendees are encouraged to visit resources such as asatonline.org and What Works Clearinghouse to access additional evidence-based practices and interventions, providing further guidance on implementation in real-world scenarios.