CHAPTER 4: Prevention through Effective Instruction Behavior Management: Principles and Practices of Positive Behavior Supports Third Edition John J. Wheeler David D. Richey

Objectives Understand the relationship between setting events and antecedents Recognize the importance of antecedent management as a means of preventing challenging behavior Describe the methods most commonly used in the assessment of antecedents List and describe antecedent management strategies Provide examples of specific strategies such as environmental engineering, design and delivery of instruction Discuss antecedent management strategies that can be used, such as environmental strategies, instructional strategies including Response to Intervention (RTI)

Setting Events Physical, social and environmental variables that serve to establish operations or “set the stage” for challenging behavior to ensue. Three common types of setting events include: Biological: thirst, hunger. Fatigue, medication side effects

Setting Events continued… Biological: thirst, hunger. Fatigue, medication side effects Environmental: Clutter in the classroom, disruptions in routine, unplanned transitions, overcrowded work areas, room temperature (too hot or too cold) Social Interpersonal: Disagreements with others, communication difficulties

Effective Learning Environments Engineering learning environments is a mainstay of PBS and includes: Behavioral expectations are defined ad shared by all within the school Expectations are published and visible throughout the school Appropriate behaviors by students are reinforced and celebrated

Points to Consider Is the environment pleasant? Is ample space available within the classroom? Are classroom schedules posted? Do learners understand the behavioral expectations and are they reinforced for their attempts at adhering to them?

Two Major Classes of Learning Problems Skill deficits-the learner does not possess the sufficient skill set to perform the task Performance problems-the learner does not attempt performance at his/her level of ability, also linked to motivation

Pre Instructional Considerations What are the individual learning strengths of the student? What are the specific teaching/response formats that have been used successfully in the past? What are the learner’s preferred activities?

Modifying Instructional Antecedents Task Design Make tasks relevant to the learner Match tasks to learner’s abilities Build in opportunities for choice Determine the appropriate length of activities Vary activities Use of activity schedules

Modifying Instructional Antecedents continued… Task Presentation: Use of clear and consistent cues Use of embedded cues within the task Interspersed requesting Systematic instruction Use of naturally occurring reinforcers

Four-term Contingency Setting Events Antecedents Behavior Consequences

Methods Used in the Assessment of Antecedents Functional Behavior Assessment Structured Interview Observational recording Scatter-plot analysis A-B-C Recording Interval recording Functional analysis