# Individual Positive Behavior Supports

## A Standards-Based Guide to Practices in School and Community Settings

edited by

#### Fredda Brown, Ph.D.
Queens College New York, New York

#### Jacki L. Anderson, Ph.D.
California State University East Bay Hayward, California

and

#### Randall L. De Pry, Ph.D.
Portland State University Portland, Oregon

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## Contents

About the Reproducible Materials ... vi  
About the Editors ... vii  
Contributors ... viii  
Foreword *Rud and Ann Turnbull ... xi*  
Preface ... xiv  
Acknowledgments ... xvi

**I Foundations of Positive Behavior Support.** ... 1  
1 A Historical Perspective on the Evolution of Positive Behavior Support as a Science-Based Discipline ... 3  
*Joseph M. Lucyshyn, Glen Dunlap, and Rachel Freeman*  
2 Foundational Assumptions About Challenging Behavior and Behavior Interventions ... 27  
*Fredda Brown and Jacki L. Anderson*  
3 Effective Teaming for Positive Behavior Support ... 47  
*Linda M. Bambara and Catherine Kunsch*  
4 Person-Centered Planning Teams ... 71  
*Jennifer McFarland-Whisman*  
5 Supporting Individuals with Challenging Behavior Through Systemic Change ... 89  
*Randall L. De Pry, Kavita V. Kamat, and Richard Stock*

**II Basic Principles of Behavior.** ... 103  
6 Applied Behavior Analysis as a Conceptual Framework for Understanding Positive Behavior Support ... 107  
*Teri Lewis*  
7 Antecedent Strategies to Change Behavior ... 123  
*Sheldon L. Loman and Amanda K. Sanford*  
8 Consequence Strategies to Change Behavior ... 145  
*Chris Borgmeier and Billie Jo Rodriguez*  
9 Facilitating Generalization and Maintenance of Behavior Change ... 163  
*Jeffrey Sprague*  
10 Defining, Measuring, and Graphing Behavior ... 181  
*Matt Tincani and Elizabeth R. Lorah*  
11 Single-Case Designs and Data-Based Decision Making ... 201  
*John McDonnell, Robert E. O’Neill, and Breda V. O’Keeffe*  
12 Systematic Instruction ... 221  
*Angel Lee, Leah Wood, and Diane M. Browder*

## III Comprehensive Function-Based and Person-Centered Assessments. ... 237  
13 Integrating and Building on Best Practices in Person-Centered Planning, Wraparound, and Positive Behavior Support to Enhance Quality of Life ... 241  
*Rachel Freeman, Matt Enyart, Kelcey Schmitz, Pat Kimbrough, Kris Matthews, and Lori Newcomer*  
14 Conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments ... 259  
*Robert E. O’Neill, Leanne S. Hawken, and Kaitlin Bundock*  
15 Using Functional Behavioral Assessment Data ... 279  
*Lee Kern and Beth Custer*  
16 Conducting Functional Analyses of Behavior ... 295  
*David P. Wacker, Wendy K. Berg, Brenda J. Bassingthwaite, Todd G. Kopelman, Kelly M. Schieltz, Yaniz C. Padilla Dalmau, Scott D. Lindgren, and John F. Lee*

## IV Function-Driven Interventions ... 315  
17 Strategies to Promote Self-Determination ... 319  
*Michael L. Wehmeyer*  
18 Strategies for Self-Management ... 333  
*Martin Agran*  
19 Visual Supports as Antecedent and Teaching Interventions ... 347  
*Pat Mirenda and Brenda Fossett*  
20 Curricular Modification, Positive Behavior Support, and Change ... 361  
*Ann Halvorsen and Tom Neary, with contributions by Deanna Willson-Schafer and Mary Wrenn*  
21 Strategies for Functional Communication Training ... 385  
*V. Mark Durand*

## V Comprehensive Multielement Positive Behavior Support Plans ... 397  
22 Building Supportive Environments: Toward a Technology for Enhancing Fidelity of Implementation ... 401  
*Kent McIntosh, Joseph M. Lucyshyn, M. Kathleen Strickland-Cohen, and Robert H. Horner*  
23 Implementing Multielement Positive Behavior Support Plans ... 417  
*Meme Hieneman and Glen Dunlap*  
24 Cultural and Contextual Fit: Juan’s Family as Active Team Members ... 433  
*Bobbie J. Vaughn and Lise K. Fox*  
25 Developing a Multielement Behavior Support Plan for a Middle School Student from a Diverse Background with Significant Behavioral Challenges ... 447  
*Randall L. De Pry and Julie Esparza Brown*  
26 Application of a Multielement Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Plan for Alie, an Elementary Student with Intellectual Disabilities ... 463  
*Richard W. Albin and Anne W. Todd*

## VI Future Directions ... 481  
27 Positive Behavior Supports and Quality of Life ... 485  
*Lisa S. Fleisher, Sharon Ann Ballard-Krishnan, and Nila F. Benito*  
28 Ronda’s Story: Living a Quality Life ... 513  
*Scott Shepard and Ronda Michaelson*  
29 Taking Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports into the Future ... 533  
*Allyson Satter, Nikki Wolf, and Wayne Sailor*

Association for Positive Behavior Support Standards of Practice: Individual Level (SOP-I) ... 549

## Index ... 555

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## Foreword

Rud and Ann Turnbull

The presentation about aversive therapy begins. Psychologists explain about baseline data and historic perspectives that require the narrator to reflect on the past and to interpret it. More than that, the narrative requires the narrator to express personal experiences that shaped the recognition of aversive therapies. Individuals from various backgrounds seek to address challenging behaviors and advocate for person-centered approaches, emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse perspectives.

## Preface

Individual Positive Behavior Supports: A Standards-Based Guide to Practices in School and Community Settings brings together the work of leading scholars to present foundational knowledge essential for effectively supporting individuals exhibiting challenging behaviors. This comprehensive book explores various critical topics, including the history of Positive Behavior Support (PBS); applied behavior analysis; the dynamics of effective teamwork; collaboration across stakeholders; systems-level supports; and examples featuring assessment and implementation of multicomponent PBS strategies.

The chapters are organized into major sections that ensure a thorough understanding of PBS principles, practices, and outcomes, allowing practitioners to enhance the quality of life for individuals facing challenges.

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## Foundations of Positive Behavior Support

### Standards Addressed in This Section

I. A. Practitioners of positive behavior support (PBS) have the following perspectives on the evolution of PBS and its relationship to applied behavior analysis (ABA) and movements in the disability field:
1. History of applied behavior analysis and its connection to PBS
2. Similarities and unique features of PBS and ABA
3. Key movements that influenced the emergence of PBS practices:
    - a. Deinstitutionalization
    - b. Normalization and social role valorization
    - c. Community participation
    - d. Supported employment
    - e. Least restrictive environment and inclusive schooling
    - f. Self-determination

I. B. Practitioners applying PBS with individuals adhere to the following basic assumptions about behavior:
1. Challenging behavior serves a function.
2. Positive strategies are effective in addressing the most challenging behavior.
3. When positive interventions fail, functional assessment strategies are necessary to develop effective PBS strategies.
4. Environmental context influences behavior.
5. Successful intervention outcomes should improve quality of life, promote valued skills, and enhance access to activities.

I. C. Practitioners include at least 11 key elements in developing PBS supports:
1. Collaborative team-based decision making
2. Person-centered decision making
3. Self-determination
4. Functional assessment and functionally derived interventions
5. Identifying outcomes enhancing quality of life as valued by individuals, families, and communities
6. Acceptable strategies in inclusive settings
7. Teaching useful and valued skills
8. Evidence-based techniques that achieve effective outcomes
9. Approaches that ensure dignity and respect without causing harm
10. Comprehensive intervention plans focusing on prosocial behaviors and environmental modification
11. Ongoing measurement of impact

This section provides the essential framework for understanding subsequent discussions about PBS and emphasizes the interplay between individual behavior and systemic change within various contexts.