Positive behavior supports
According to National Association of
School Psychologists (NASP), "Positive Behavioral Support (PBS) is an
empirically validated, function-based approach to eliminate challenging
behaviors and replace them with pro-social skills" (Cohn, 2001). PBS can
be set up for an individual student or for a whole school. When creating a PBS it is important to
consider a few key factors such as, instructional content, classroom schedule,
classroom arrangement, and peer -interactions. Psych Center states that PBS is
based on the well-researched applied behavior analysis (ABA). An important piece
to remember is that behaviors are a form of communication. Patterns can be
discovered once you know what the student’s triggers are and then the behavior
can be prevented (Cohn, 2001) ((Wynsberghe, 2012).
Many students can struggle academically in school because they are having behavior problems. It is crucial that teachers explain and model appropriate behaviors so that students understand how to behave. Otherwise these students can spend a lot of time out of the classroom and missing out on important content. Before a teacher or school can create a PBS they must first complete a Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA) either on an individual student or for a group. This will provide teachers with data on the student(s). This will help teachers see what is causing the behavior and what the teacher's reactions are to the student’s behavior. The teacher will also notice what other factors could be causing the students problems. Most behavior problems have patterns and triggers. When creating PBS it is important that it is a group effort. The group should include anyone who would know valuable information about the student(s). This would be any teachers, school psychologist, school social worker, counselors, and parents. It is vital that the parents are included so that they know the plan and can implement it at home. For students with behavior problems it is important that there is consistency between school and home (Cohn, 2001).
Positive Behavior Supports are beneficial because it is person centered, it focuses on positive changes, it is outcome focused, and it allows teachers and parents to collaborate. According to Psych Central using a person centered approach means that you look at the student as a whole. You have to get to know them and learn their skills, strengths, and goals. PBS also focuses on positive changes. Instead of focusing on punishment, you focus on teaching. Teachers do this by explaining and modeling the appropriate behavior the student and by teaching coping/relaxation strategies. Teachers should incorporate the student in the development of their goals. This way they care about the goal and want to work toward improving it. Lastly, it is a group effort. Everyone who knows the student is involved in this process. This allows the group to collect all the data they need in order to understand the student’s triggers and behavior patterns. In addition, it helps the student to have strategies that will help them behave appropriately in many settings (Wynsberghe, 2012).
Many students can struggle academically in school because they are having behavior problems. It is crucial that teachers explain and model appropriate behaviors so that students understand how to behave. Otherwise these students can spend a lot of time out of the classroom and missing out on important content. Before a teacher or school can create a PBS they must first complete a Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA) either on an individual student or for a group. This will provide teachers with data on the student(s). This will help teachers see what is causing the behavior and what the teacher's reactions are to the student’s behavior. The teacher will also notice what other factors could be causing the students problems. Most behavior problems have patterns and triggers. When creating PBS it is important that it is a group effort. The group should include anyone who would know valuable information about the student(s). This would be any teachers, school psychologist, school social worker, counselors, and parents. It is vital that the parents are included so that they know the plan and can implement it at home. For students with behavior problems it is important that there is consistency between school and home (Cohn, 2001).
Positive Behavior Supports are beneficial because it is person centered, it focuses on positive changes, it is outcome focused, and it allows teachers and parents to collaborate. According to Psych Central using a person centered approach means that you look at the student as a whole. You have to get to know them and learn their skills, strengths, and goals. PBS also focuses on positive changes. Instead of focusing on punishment, you focus on teaching. Teachers do this by explaining and modeling the appropriate behavior the student and by teaching coping/relaxation strategies. Teachers should incorporate the student in the development of their goals. This way they care about the goal and want to work toward improving it. Lastly, it is a group effort. Everyone who knows the student is involved in this process. This allows the group to collect all the data they need in order to understand the student’s triggers and behavior patterns. In addition, it helps the student to have strategies that will help them behave appropriately in many settings (Wynsberghe, 2012).
Links
References
Information from:
Cohn, A. M. (2001). Positivie Behavior Supports. In NASP Resources . Retrieved February 24, 2013, from
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/factsheets/pbs_fs.aspx
Wynsberghe, A. V. (2012). The Benefits of Positive Behavior Support. In World of Psychology. Retrieved February
24, 2013, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/08/09/the-benefits-of-positive-behavior-support/
Picture from:
Schoolwide Positive Behavior Supports (2007, October 15). In Newark Teachers Union. Retrieved February 24,
2013, from http://www.ntuaft.com/
Video from:
Gibbon Elementary PBS Video. (2008, August 14). In YouTube. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from http://youtu.be
/YbdczlZ-JeU
Cohn, A. M. (2001). Positivie Behavior Supports. In NASP Resources . Retrieved February 24, 2013, from
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/factsheets/pbs_fs.aspx
Wynsberghe, A. V. (2012). The Benefits of Positive Behavior Support. In World of Psychology. Retrieved February
24, 2013, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/08/09/the-benefits-of-positive-behavior-support/
Picture from:
Schoolwide Positive Behavior Supports (2007, October 15). In Newark Teachers Union. Retrieved February 24,
2013, from http://www.ntuaft.com/
Video from:
Gibbon Elementary PBS Video. (2008, August 14). In YouTube. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from http://youtu.be
/YbdczlZ-JeU