Building Behavior Support Plans from the Competing Behavior Pathway

BSP Supports Behavior Support planning Document SDE BIP form Implementation Training & Support planner (TBD)

Intervention Planning focuses on manipulating environmental factors Antecedents/setting events = when Specific Behavior = What Function = Why

Intervention Planning Setting event Antecedent Behavior Consequence Hungry Playing with teacher, & teacher gets up to leave Screams “no” and hits teacher Teacher sits back down and continues to play Function? Access adult attention Irrelevant Reduce the likelihood of the problem behavior Neutralize or minimize the effects of setting events and antecedents to prevent the need for using the problem behavior Inefficient Teach a functionally equivalent replacement behavior Ineffective Make replacement behavior access function rather than problem behavior

Competing Behavior Pathway Good behavior support plan yield challenging behaviors: Irrelevant changing environment Inefficient teaching easier replacement Ineffective altering consequences Desired Response Typical Consequence Setting Event Antecedent Behavior Consequence Develop the idea of comprehensive intervention Remind that it is more combersome but more effective and reiterate why RTI is such an important process Replacement Behavior Irrelevant Inefficient Ineffective

Functional Equivalence Identify an acceptable way that the child can deliver the same message. Make sure that the new response is socially appropriate and will access the child’s desired outcome. Teach the child a skill that honors that function of the behavior (e.g., if child wants out of activity, teach child to gesture “finished”).

Competing Behavior Equation Child yells, kicks, throws. Adult gives child another turn. Child told peer gets a turn. Adult says “one more turn, then (peer’s name)’s turn” and gives turn. Child asks for one more turn.

Discussion Activity: Competing Behavior Equation Child screams and resists. Teacher lets child out of activity. Child asked to join circle. Child gestures “all done.” Teacher lets child out of activity.

Competing Behavior Pathway Desired Behavior Work quietly Existing Consequence Grades More work Setting event None Antecedent Preferred peer Problem Behavior Talking Maintaining Consequence Gain Peer attention Alternative Behavior Peer helper

Competing Behavior Pathway Desired Behavior Work quietly Existing Consequence Grades More work Setting event None Antecedent Preferred peer Problem Behavior Talking Maintaining Consequence Gain Peer attention Alternative Behavior Peer helper Alternative Behavior Peer helper

Building support plan from competing behavior pathway Four Steps: Diagram hypothesis statement & competing pathway Identify ways to reduce likelihood of challenging behavior (make irrelevant) Teach EASIER functionally equivalent replacement (make inefficient) Allow replacement to access function with added incentive (make ineffective) Remove/minimize CB’s ability to access reinforcement Briefly review steps to building Support plan

Step 2: Prevent Likelihood of Challenging Behavior COMPETING PATHWAYS BEHAVIOR SUPPORT PLANNING Setting Event Strategies Antecedent Strategies Teaching Strategies Consequence Strategies

Setting Event Interventions Percentage of Time With Problem Behavior Baseline With Neutralizing Routine Setting Event & Antecedent 39% 3% Just Setting Event 5% 0% Just Antecedent 6% Neither Setting Event or Antecedent Percentage of Time With Problem Behavior Baseline With Neutralizing Routine 20% 11% 7% 0% 3%

SEs alter value of consequence We attempt to alter it back Eliminate or minimize occurrence of a setting event good nutrition; regular meals; good nights sleep Neutralize effect of SE - neutralizing routines Anxiety-humor; tired-rest/nap, unfamiliar person-build rapport Withhold or change triggering cues or events when setting event is present Add prompts for desired and alternative behaviors when setting events are present

Setting Event & Antecedent Interventions Dan: 13 years old Problem behaviors: tantrum (run through house screaming obscenities); lying; stealing Intervene here to reduce presence of setting event Maintaining Consequences Avoid Punishment Triggering Antecedents Question “Did you take..” Problem Behavior Lying (Incorrect “yes” or “no” reply) Setting Events Earlier “secret” behavior Intervene here Neutralize setting event when present

Setting Event & Antecedent Interventions Teddy: 7 years old, Asperger’s syndrome Problem behaviors: severe aggression (destroy property, assault another by knocking them to the floor and biting) Problem Behavior Triggering Antecedents Setting Events Maintaining Consequences Physical Assault Negative Interaction Visit from Mother during past 24 hrs Escape aversive situation Neutralize Routine

Antecedent Interventions Antecedents trigger behaviors By changing the form of antecedent in some way we attempt to keep behavior from being triggered.

Basic Goals of Antecedent Strategies Remove, modify or weaken cues/signals for problem behaviors reduce or eliminate specific "triggers" (e.g., don't say "no," say ____ ; reduce demands) offer choices or present requests as choices use self-scheduling or choice of sequence embed difficult requests, use task interspersal, or task variation (e.g., behavioral momentum) modify curriculum and instructional procedures redesign tasks or activities/routines add aids or supports (e.g., tool, visuals, assistive technology)

Basic Goals of Antecedent Strategies (continued) Strengthen cues for, and add prompts for, alternative and desired behaviors find instructional prompts that work and use antecedent (proactive) prompting strategies (e.g., most to least; errorless learning) use precorrection and reminders change discriminative characteristics to promote desired appropriate behavior teach in activity context; make it relevant; make it a game; utilize preferences use priming - make materials or activities familiar add redundant cues (e.g., picture schedules) to promote desired behavior or to ensure predictability

Setting Event & Antecedent Interventions Dan: 13 years old Problem behaviors: tantrum (run through house screaming obscenities); lying; stealing Maintaining Consequences Avoid Punishment Triggering Antecedents Question “Did you take..” Problem Behavior Lying (Incorrect “yes” or “no” reply) Setting Events Earlier “secret” behavior Intervene here Reduce anxiety Intervene here Weaken Trigger No questions

Step 2: Prevent Likelihood of Challenging Behavior COMPETING PATHWAYS Spelling task tired BEHAVIOR SUPPORT PLANNING Setting Event Strategies Minimize: Change bedtime routine Change: Specific splng activity/words Antecedent Strategies Teaching Strategies Consequence Strategies Neutralize: Provide nap before work Strengthen: add extra verbal prompt for replacement

Competing Behavior Pathway CBP/BSP Spelling task tired BEHAVIOR SUPPORT PLANNING Setting Event Strategies Minimize: Change bedtime routine Change: Specific splng activity/words Antecedent Strategies Teaching Strategies Consequence Strategies Neutralize: Provide nap before work Strengthen: add extra verbal prompt replacement

Big Ideas Prevention includes both manipulating and/or removing triggers (antecedents) as well as counter acting setting events. Prevention greatly decreases the likelihood the student will need to use the CB (but not completely). Prevention DOES NOT teach the student any new ways to get his/her needs met so should never be used alone!

Writing Prevention Section of BSP Developed from Competing Behavior Pathway Should outline specific adult behaviors that will address outlined steps from Competing Behavior Pathway. Neutralizing Routine Weakening the Trigger Prompting for desired alternate

Neutralizing Routines If “tired” is identified as a setting event then you need to be able to identify when it is in place and how it will be administered/monitored In Prevention Section Adults will ask Joey if he is tired. If Joey indicates he is, adults will offer him a choice between a 10 and 20 minute nap in the quiet area. When the nap is over Joey will be asked if he is ready to start work or if he needs one more minute, and be reminded that if he needs the work to stop, to “ask for a break.”

Weakening the Trigger If “Independent seat work” has been identified as the antecedent then an alternate needs to be planned for when the setting is in place. In Prevention Section When Joey has had a nap, adults will inform Joey at the beginning of math class that he will be working on “math magician” when the class transitions to independent seat work by saying “Today is a ‘math magician’ day, so when the other kids start working by themselves, we will get you started on the computer.”

Competing Behaviors Pathway Teaching desired alternates: Desired response Maintaining Consequences COMPETING PATHWAYS Triggering Antecedents Problem Behavior Maintaining Consequences Setting Events Acceptable Alternative BEHAVIOR SUPPORT PLANNING The third step is to list potential strategies…(USE EXAMPLES FROM CURRENT FOCUS PEOPLE) -Irrelevant: prevention, eg, change schedule, curriculum, instruction; provide better communication method. -Ineffective: e.g., withhold payoff -Inefficient: e.g., increase reinforcement of desired replacement behaviors. We’ve already worked on ways to modify the Triggering Antecedent (Predictor Strategies) and the Setting Events. Use examples to emphasize use of strategies in these categories. Now we’re ready to look at the third general category of behavior support planning: Teaching Strategies or Response-building Strategies. This category includes ways to strengthen alternative behaviors. Setting Event Strategies Predictor Strategies Teaching Strategies Consequence Strategies

Characteristics of Desired Alternate Functionally Equivalent Contextually Fit A fluent skill More efficient More effective

Functional Equivalence is… When two or more behaviors serve the same “function” or purpose Both behaviors produce the same outcome or maintaining consequence Ideally the new behaviors should lead to a better outcome. The new behavior needs to communicate the same thing for the student

Components of FCT Step 2: Teaching a “functionally equivalent” acceptable alternative behavior Desired Alternative Says, “Hello.” Interacts with peers Maintaining Consequence Attention from peers Setting Event Antecedent Behavior Consequence Tired Approached by Marge/Allison Scream / Hit head Escape Marge and Allison Acceptable Alternative Signs, “Leave.”

Contextual Fit A skill the student is fluent in If a student has challenges with language then language should not be the modality. Appropriate for setting If the setting is large group then the replacement behavior should have a component that solicits adult attention.

More Efficient and Effective Less physical effort Shorter duration Better schedule, amount, & quality of reinforcement Less delay in obtaining the reinforcer

Example Antecedent: circle time Problem behavior: Joe screams at circle Function: moved from circle to library (escape circle)

Example: Planning Intervention 2: Identify Acceptable alternative: acceptable request for leaving (sign, PECS, etc.) 3: Teach/Plan: based on his skill Joe will be taught to point to library corner picture to ask to go there Less effort More immediate (shorter duration) Greater amount of reinforcement

Example Teach: Away from circle, show Joe picture, model/prompt to point, go immediately to library (repeat several times) Have criterion before moving back to circle Ask Joe to come to circle, keep picture visible Ignore any screams, prompt pointing to picture Fade prompts and cues over time

Competing Behavior Pathway Replace Challenging Behavior with a “functionally equivalent” acceptable alternative behavior Desired Alternative Stay at circle Maintaining Consequence ??????? Setting Event Antecedent Behavior Consequence ????? Circle time Scream / Hit head Escape circle Acceptable Alternative Point at library pic.

Shaping Behavior Shaping behavior is the process of changing the form of a behavior to the replacement behavior through a series of “successive approximations”. Why shape? When the difference between the challenging behavior and replacement behavior are too great, intervention will be ineffective

Shaping Behavior When is shaping needed? The replacement behavior is not “in repertoire” A new skill or process needs to be learned EG: Using cards/symbols for communication Features of challenging behavior out weigh others Remove a feature, while other challenging aspects are still present EG: Building a verbal “break” request in a student with violent tantrums

Shaping Behavior Identifying successive approximations: Identify an appropriate acceptable alternate behavior. PECS verses a verbal response Identify that behaviors component skills. Attend to card Touch/grab card Move card to specific location Identify which of the component skills the student can fluently perform Joey can easily attend to the card and grab it Joey has difficulty velcroing card to board

Shaping behavior Allow all approximations to access reinforcement until a criterion is reached. Use break card in PECS 5 minute break from activity Hand Break card to staff Touch Break card

Shaping behavior Allow all approximations to access reinforcement until a criterion is reached. Respectfullysay “may I have a break” 5 minute break from activity Say “May I have a break” Say “break”

Promoting Generalization Support variation in the response that fit with variations of the situation Sign “more food” when hungry Sign “more drink” when thirsty Reinforce other communicative behaviors A basic of FCT is getting your child hooked into communication High efficiency communicative behavior will likely beget more communicative behavior

When writing the Teaching Section of the BSP think Annual Goal and Objectives Requirements: In a Nutshell Description of anticipated change Who will do What behavior In which (when) context (be specific) By what date Measured to a criterion Goal/Objective verbage Example: Given a 15 minute free time activity, Polly will keep her hands engaged in appropriate activities (drawing, playing with toys) or to her sides during 90% of that period for 8 of 10 days by the end of the month. Annual goal should reflect what Bobby will be doing a year from now (remember this should reflect the stage of learning the behavior will be at) Objectives should reflect the process of shaping Bobby’s acceptable alternate behaviors to the annual goal.

Example Objective 1: Objective 2: Goal: When Jamie is in class and would like to skip a specific activity, he will request to skip the activity by saying “skip”, “skip please”, “May I skip this activity?”, or “Can I skip this one please?” across 4 or 5 consecutive trials in multiple settings, as measured by data collection, by 04/24/09. Objective 2: When Jamie is in class and would like to skip a specific activity, he will request to skip the activity by saying “skip”, “skip please”, “May I skip this activity?”, or “Can I skip this one please?” in a normal classroom voice across 4 or 5 consecutive trials in multiple settings, as measured by data collection, by 04/24/09. Goal: When Jamie is in class and would like to skip a specific activity, he will request to skip the activity by saying “May I skip this activity?” or “Can I skip this one please?” in a normal classroom voice across 4 or 5 consecutive trials in multiple settings, as measured by data collection, by 04/24/09.

Remember Replacement behavior should be… Functionally Equivalent Contextually Fit A fluent skill More efficient More effective

Big Ideas We need to teach the student a way of communicating what they need that is appropriate for our school. Replacement behaviors need to be more easier and more efficient than the challenging behavior We may need to help shape the desired behavior through helping the student use a series of approximations first. Using replacement behaviors should be IEP goal rather than a reduction of challenging behaivor.

Consequence Strategies Consequence Strategies lead to the challenging behavior becoming ineffective Through a process called “Differential Reinforcement” Differential Reinforcement: Extinguishing (discontinuing access reinforcement) the challenging behavior Reinforcing another behavior

Components of Responding Desired Behaviors Challening Behavior Added reinforcement for basic Controlled access to function for replacement Minimize access to function & Prompting Replacement Punishment Safety Planning

Competing Behaviors Pathway Consequence Strategies: Desired response Maintaining Consequences COMPETING PATHWAYS Triggering Antecedents Problem Behavior Maintaining Consequences Setting Events Acceptable Alternative BEHAVIOR SUPPORT PLANNING The third step is to list potential strategies…(USE EXAMPLES FROM CURRENT FOCUS PEOPLE) -Irrelevant: prevention, eg, change schedule, curriculum, instruction; provide better communication method. -Ineffective: e.g., withhold payoff -Inefficient: e.g., increase reinforcement of desired replacement behaviors. We’ve already worked on ways to modify the Triggering Antecedent (Predictor Strategies) and the Setting Events. Use examples to emphasize use of strategies in these categories. Now we’re ready to look at the third general category of behavior support planning: Teaching Strategies or Response-building Strategies. This category includes ways to strengthen alternative behaviors. Setting Event Strategies Predictor Strategies Teaching Strategies Consequence Strategies

Consequence Strategy Functional Equivalence: Acceptable Alternate needs to access the function To start the replacement behavior needs to access the function every time it is performed (continuous reinforcement) Though the replacement needs to access the function, the access needs to be controlled.

Example It appears that little Jimmy’s “tantrum” behaviors are maintained from an escape from difficult tasks such as independent math work and independent reading. Mr. D decided that he needed to teach Jimmy to ask to skip a task. Tantrum = timeout or trip to office Skip request = get out of assignment/assignment w/help

Example Jeannie “under the table kicked” her table group during Independent reading in social studies until they yelled at her, resulting in a talking to from Mrs. Walters and detention. Mrs. Walters decided to teach her ask for “1:1 time”. Under the table kick = Adult attention and detention 1:1 request = assigned work at teachers desk

Example Joseba’s “wrist biting” seemed to happen when there was a schedule change. It seemed to lead to Joseba being removed from classroom. It also seemed to always lead to a 5-10min. Of discussion about the schedule change. Mr. Washington decided to teach Joseba to ask for “talk-time”. wrist biting = leaving class room/discussion Talk-time request = 5-10min. In discussion spot w/adult

Controlled Access Escape from Independent work : Escape from work Escape from multiplication : Escape from table group Escape from Independent Reading : Escape from reading Access to computer : Access to cartoon network Connect four : Activities with Robby Help request/skip activity Break skip activity Move request Help request/skip activity skip activity Request computer based activity Request cartoon network Request Connect four Request work/play with Robby

Controlled Access Considerations Where- Can it be given in regular setting Form- What are the specific behaviors when the student is accessing function How much- How much time or what amount of the function the student will get.

Thinning reinforcement Once the acceptable alternate has been established and is being used consistently it is time to considering “thinning” (intermittent reinforcement) the schedule of reinforcement. Why thin? Thinning actually strengthens established behaviors Thinning builds a “tolerance” for delayed reinforcement (how we are generally reinforced)

Thinning Reinforcement Thinning: Slowly changing from reinforcing the behavior every time it is performed to a level or reinforcement that works for the student and the context. Considerations: Thinning to quickly results in a reoccurrence of challenging behavior The reduction should match the context

Examples Break from a math activity: Thin by gradually requiring more and more work before the break. Break from a person or a setting: Thin by gradually increasing the amount of time he/she must stay before the break is received. Requesting access to a preferred activity or toy: Thin by gradually increasing the amount of time he/she must wait before getting to do the activity

Thinning Reinforcement When necessary, use visual cues to make the requirement clear Increased time: Have a visual timer available Watch with alarm set Big red clock Stopwatch Increased work: Have a tally or check off system Sticker chart An adapted token boards

Reinforcer Overlay It is sometimes difficult to give enough access to the function. Then what? Up the amount of reinforcement available for the replacement behavior. Tokens: Treats: Attention (adult and/or peer)

Jerome’s tantrums lead to escape from work ALL DAY. Overlay should be used to reinforce both the replacement behavior and the ultimate goal. Jerome’s tantrums lead to escape from work ALL DAY. Break request = 10 minute break Functionally Equivalent, but in far less quantity Overlay = 5 min. of work gets Jerome 5 min of preferred activity Good because it reinforces work (the end goal) Overlay = While on break Jerome can play a game with a peer Less good because it because it doesn’t tie back to work

Safety Routine When does teaching stop and crisis intervention begin?

The MODEL AGITATION  High Low Here is where we really begin to see that the student is moving toward crisis, and because of that we slow the teaching and become a bit more helpful Low

The MODEL ACCELERATION High Low During this stage the student is approaching a full blown crisis, and they are really not in a place to learn, so here we are really not teaching at all anymore Low

Safety Routine Components Specific behavior that signals to adult to shift the focus from teaching to crisis intervention Specific steps adults will follow Specific ways adults will interact w/ student until they are fully deescalated

When writing the responding section be sure to include Responding to desired behavior Acknowledgement Responding to challenging behavior Prompting Strategy Safety Routine Crisis intervention plan

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