| COURSE OFFERINGS Effective Positive Behavioral Supports: A Life Study Approach |
A Life Study is an intensive clinical session focusing on the
conduct challenge(s) of an individual with disabilities. The
session is structured to produce a best practice Positive
Behavioral Support Plan. This format is designed to serve
as a learning experience for the attendees, teaching the
clinical skills required in identifying and addressing the
“unmet needs” of the individual. Skills learned in the Life
Study are applicable to other individuals supported by the
organization as well.
The format generally followed in conducting a Life Study
Approach to Positive Behavioral Support is outlined below.
It must be emphasized that this format is not intended nor
cannot replace an Individualized Planning Session. This Life
Study Approach requires the active participation of all
individuals in attendance, to maximize the desired outcomes.
Background/History
Provide Biographical Information: interests, friends, family
involvement, hobbies, positive rituals, living arrangements,
skills, cognitive abilities, preferred lifestyle, work history,
educational and training experiences, personality, gifts,
food, preferences, sexuality
Describe Environmental Influences likely to affect behavior
status i.e. demanding staff, lack of personal space, need of
meaningful employment, imposed routines and schedules,
noise, incompatible housemates.
Describe Psychiatric/Psychological influences upon the
individual’s behavior. Note DSM IV diagnosis and
comment on its validity. Identify psychological influences
both situational i.e. loss of parent as well as indigenous
influences to psychological state i.e. history of child abuse.
List medications currently prescribed for psychiatric and
psychological purposes.
Describe Medical/Biological concerns likely to impact
behavior, i.e. diabetes, migraine headaches, menopause,
temporal lobe epilepsy, M.R. diagnosis and its likely
etiology, sleep patterns.
Barriers to Success
Describe the challenging behavior manifested by the
individual. Describe behaviors empirically. Provide
descriptions for frequency and intensity. Note setting
events, triggers and vulnerabilities, which may be
influencing the behavior i.e., fatigued, sexually frustrated.
Proactive
Detail the modifications that are recommended in the
individual’s environment. Focus on the importance of life
enhancing activities; identify non-negotiables. Speak to
giving the individual a life. Provide recommendations to
enhance relationships and things in the person’s life. Focus
on maximizing the individual’s prestige. Recognize the
value of natural consequences.
Detail medical issues that would appear to indicate
additional opinions or initial examination. Emphasize the
importance of obtaining accurate diagnosis, a prognosis
and recommended treatment.
Detail interventions in the psychological/psychiatric areas.
Discuss the role of counseling relaxation techniques, sex
education, setting boundaries, inpatient psychiatric
hospitalization, medication review, and desensitization.
Reactive
Detail the responses that should be delivered by staff
contingent to the undesired behavior. Primary purposes of
contingent response are to protect from harm. Analyze
contingent response to assure it does not serve as an
unintended reinforcer (aberrant contingencies). If positive
reinforcement is used as a consequence, make sure it does
not become the basis for a struggle i.e. withholding a
preferred activity or item that is a non-negotiable i.e.
cigarettes.
Detail procedures for data collection.
Additionally as a strategy to promote socially acceptable
behavior the following values will be discussed and applied
to the “focus person”:
conduct challenge(s) of an individual with disabilities. The
session is structured to produce a best practice Positive
Behavioral Support Plan. This format is designed to serve
as a learning experience for the attendees, teaching the
clinical skills required in identifying and addressing the
“unmet needs” of the individual. Skills learned in the Life
Study are applicable to other individuals supported by the
organization as well.
The format generally followed in conducting a Life Study
Approach to Positive Behavioral Support is outlined below.
It must be emphasized that this format is not intended nor
cannot replace an Individualized Planning Session. This Life
Study Approach requires the active participation of all
individuals in attendance, to maximize the desired outcomes.
Background/History
Provide Biographical Information: interests, friends, family
involvement, hobbies, positive rituals, living arrangements,
skills, cognitive abilities, preferred lifestyle, work history,
educational and training experiences, personality, gifts,
food, preferences, sexuality
Describe Environmental Influences likely to affect behavior
status i.e. demanding staff, lack of personal space, need of
meaningful employment, imposed routines and schedules,
noise, incompatible housemates.
Describe Psychiatric/Psychological influences upon the
individual’s behavior. Note DSM IV diagnosis and
comment on its validity. Identify psychological influences
both situational i.e. loss of parent as well as indigenous
influences to psychological state i.e. history of child abuse.
List medications currently prescribed for psychiatric and
psychological purposes.
Describe Medical/Biological concerns likely to impact
behavior, i.e. diabetes, migraine headaches, menopause,
temporal lobe epilepsy, M.R. diagnosis and its likely
etiology, sleep patterns.
Barriers to Success
Describe the challenging behavior manifested by the
individual. Describe behaviors empirically. Provide
descriptions for frequency and intensity. Note setting
events, triggers and vulnerabilities, which may be
influencing the behavior i.e., fatigued, sexually frustrated.
Proactive
Detail the modifications that are recommended in the
individual’s environment. Focus on the importance of life
enhancing activities; identify non-negotiables. Speak to
giving the individual a life. Provide recommendations to
enhance relationships and things in the person’s life. Focus
on maximizing the individual’s prestige. Recognize the
value of natural consequences.
Detail medical issues that would appear to indicate
additional opinions or initial examination. Emphasize the
importance of obtaining accurate diagnosis, a prognosis
and recommended treatment.
Detail interventions in the psychological/psychiatric areas.
Discuss the role of counseling relaxation techniques, sex
education, setting boundaries, inpatient psychiatric
hospitalization, medication review, and desensitization.
Reactive
Detail the responses that should be delivered by staff
contingent to the undesired behavior. Primary purposes of
contingent response are to protect from harm. Analyze
contingent response to assure it does not serve as an
unintended reinforcer (aberrant contingencies). If positive
reinforcement is used as a consequence, make sure it does
not become the basis for a struggle i.e. withholding a
preferred activity or item that is a non-negotiable i.e.
cigarettes.
Detail procedures for data collection.
Additionally as a strategy to promote socially acceptable
behavior the following values will be discussed and applied
to the “focus person”:
- People have the ability to control themselves.
- People who stay calm in stressful situations can
assist others to remain calm. - Anger is an expression of frustration, anxiety or fear.
- Anger communicates unmet need.
- Negotiation skills are more valuable than control
methods. - People change when supported by strong, positive
relationships. - People who can make choices and control their own
lives have less need to attempt to control others. - People are responsible for their own behavior.
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| ...Overcoming Life's Obstacles |
