how to work with families.pdf

Prevent-Teach-Reinforce for Families

A Model of Individualized Positive Behavior

Support for Home and Community

by

Glen Dunlap, Ph.D.

University of Nevada, Reno

Phillip S. Strain, Ph.D.

University of Colorado, Denver

Janice K. Lee, M.Ed., BCBA

University of Nevada, Reno

Jaclyn D. Joseph, Ph.D., BCBA

University of Colorado, Denver

Christopher Vatland, Ph.D.

University of South Florida, Tampa

and

Lise Fox, Ph.D.

University of South Florida, Tampa

Contents

  1. Introduction to Prevent-Teach-Reinforce for Families (PTR-F) ... 1
  2. How to Work with Families ... 17
  3. Initiating the PTR-F Process ... 27
  4. PTR-F Assessment (Functional Behavioral Assessment) ... 49
  5. PTR-F Intervention ... 87
  6. Coaching the Family to Implement Plans with Fidelity ... 109
  7. Using Data and Next Steps ... 145
  8. References ... 163
  9. Intervention Guide ... 169
  10. Index ... 213

How to Work with Families

In Prevent-Teach-Reinforce for Families (PTR-F), the family should play a role in all aspects of the model for effective implementation. PTR-F is more than just a focus on home and family routines. Family-centeredness (see Chapter 1) is a guiding principle of the PTR-F process, in which the family unit is the primary implementer of the support plan. The goals, input, and unique characteristics of the individual family inform the PTR-F process and help determine the interventions and supports that are provided for a child’s challenging behaviors. An understanding of families is therefore crucial to all steps of the PTR-F process, from assessment to planning to implementation.

GUIDELINES FOR SUPPORTING FAMILIES THROUGH THE PTR-F PROCESS

A number of key principles are pivotal to successful family engagement in PTR-F.

Establish and Maintain Collaborative Partnerships

Families are central to the PTR-F process and ultimately have ownership of the behavior support plan. Although a professional facilitator plays a crucial role in actual PTR-F implementation, the facilitator should also serve as a guide, coach, supporter, and cheerleader in the family’s efforts to address challenging behavior.

Remain Family Centered in All Aspects of the PTR-F Process

Family-centeredness will be a primary focus in implementing PTR-F. When planning for an individual with support needs, a family-centered approach uses systematic procedures for bringing people together who are important to the family (e.g., relatives, friends, support providers) to work as a team.

Ensure Contextual Fit of Behavior Support Plans

Contextual fit refers to the match between the elements of the intervention and the values, needs, skills, and resources of those who are implementing the intervention. If the family is implementing an intervention that is not a good match with the workings of the home or with their vision and values, there is little chance that it will be implemented for any extended period of time.

Use a Strength-Based Approach

While the PTR-F assessment and behavior support plan attend to a child’s behavioral challenges, they must also capture the strengths of the child. Increased focus on these strengths and successes allows the team to learn important lessons from what went right as well as what went wrong.

Recognize the Importance of Coaching and Support

Coaching and support have long been seen as vital aspects of effective, sustained behavior intervention. Coaching provides scaffolding to help families learn new skills outlined in a plan and gain comfort and proficiency with using these skills.

Provide Support that Is Tailored to Both Family Needs and Preferences

Family-centered positive behavior support acknowledges that parents can be experts regarding their child’s behavior. A collaborative planning process helps families to identify and resonate with the developed plan of support.

UNIVERSAL PARENTING PRACTICES

In the past two decades, emphasis has been placed on promoting desirable social-emotional behaviors as a way to prevent the emergence of serious challenging behaviors. There are many universal strategies that families can adopt. We recommend four strategies:

  1. Provide high rates of positive attention and acknowledge occasions in which the child is behaving appropriately.
  2. Establish and maintain regular and predictable daily routines.
  3. Include consistent patterns of activities within those routines.
  4. Clearly define behavioral expectations within daily routines and be clear about the difference between desirable behavior and undesirable behavior.

Clearly Define Behavioral Expectations and the Difference Between Desired Behavior and Undesired Behavior

It is critical for families to explicitly teach the behavioral expectations for each family routine. This helps children learn how to behave appropriately.

DESIGNING INDIVIDUALIZED INTERVENTION FOR CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR WITHIN THE FAMILY CONTEXT

Challenging behavior affects all functioning in the home and can dramatically change the dynamics of the living environment. Understanding that a child’s challenging behavior impacts the family as a whole is important when including families as essential and valued team members for the PTR-F process.

SUMMARY

Families are the cornerstone of the PTR-F process. They are experts on their child, their culture, their environment, and themselves, and have invaluable information to contribute. When families are valued and appreciated, it becomes easy to include them in all steps of the PTR-F process.