The Effects of Parent Implemented Positive Behavior Supports

on the Challenging Behaviors of Two Toddler Boys

Ashley L. Hausmann
Early Intervention Certificate Program
Kent State University

Introduction Methods Results

• The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of parent-implemented Participants:
positive behavior support (PBS) on the behaviors of 30 month old twin boys
• 30 month old twin boys with expressive
with expressive communication and cognitive delays.
language and cognitive delays and
• PBS is an early intervention model that can be used to improve negative
behaviors and increase positive parent-child interactions. their mother.
• To teach the parent how to use PBS intervention strategies the families Setting: Home
routines were observed to identify typical antecedents, behaviors, and
consequences Study Procedures:
• PBS intervention works well in early intervention settings because it involves Parent Delivered Intervention
working with the child and family in their natural environment, getting down on PBS Strategies
the child’s level during their activities, and creating coaching opportunities to
1. Planned Attention- Parent intentionally praising or commenting on a task that
ensure parents are able to implement the strategies in a child appropriate
the child is doing or parents attention on the same task or activity that the child
manner. is working on.
2. Specific Praise- Positive communication from parent to child on the current
task or behavior.
Research Questions 3. Planned Ignoring- Parent intentionally not drawing attention to a problem
behavior.
• Did the parents learn to use the PBS strategies consistently? 4. Natural Environment- Arranging the environment purposefully to ignore
problem behaviors and prevent behaviors from occurring.
• What are the effects of parent-implemented PBS on the frequency of child
problem behaviors of twin toddlers? Dependent Variables
Child Challenging Behaviors:

Literature Synthesis 1. Hitting- child brings hands, open or closed fist, or objects to someone or
something with the intention to hurt or damage
2. Throwing- intentionally projecting an object from their hand further than 2 foot
Author(s) Focus Findings 3. Biting- open mouth and acting like they will bite or mouth on someone else
Duda, Clarke, Fox, & Can implementation of PBS by a Reduced levels of challenging and forcefully closing teeth
Dunlap mother have an effect on her three behavior and elevated levels of
2008 children with problem behaviors? engagement. These improved 4. Screaming- loud ‘Ah’ noises lasting longer than 3 seconds
levels were sustained throughout
intervention and follow-up phases. Coaching Practices:

Dunlap & Fox Can the Individual Service Project
1999 with PBS be used for addressing
serious problem behaviors
exhibited by children?
Koegel, Stiebel, & Koegel Can changing antecedent stimuli
1998 associated with aggression be
effective in reducing sibling
problem behaviors in children with
autism?
Lucyshyn, Albin, Horner, Can serious challenges to family
Mann, Mann, & Wadsworth life posed by problem behaviors be
2007 changed to promote affective,
meaningful, acceptable, and
durable changes in child behavior
and in family quality of life?
The observations indicate that the
rate and intensity of problem
behaviors was declining.
The two groups showed
improvements in both decreased
aggressions and increased use of
targeted appropriate behaviors.
The frequency of problem
behaviors across activities was
decreased after intervention was
implemented.
1. Parent and early interventionist discussed PBS strategies.
2. Early interventionist demonstrated PBS strategies
3. Parent and early interventionist practiced strategies together with the children
4. Early interventionist provided feedback to parent of progress.
Data Collection Procedures:
Videos were coded after each session for:
1. Frequency and accuracy of parent implementation of the PBS strategies
2. Frequency of child problem behaviors
Study Design:
• An AB single subject design with baseline and intervention conditions.
Discussion
• My study aligns with previous research by using similar intervention
techniques; identifying the problem behaviors, changing the environment to
try to stop those behaviors, and altering how parents respond to the
behaviors.
• My study different from other research because I looked at PBS with twins
and their caregiver. Multiple studies look at a classroom or a parent and
single child situation. This study was one caregiver with twin boys.
• Limitations of this study were time frame, and the family’s availability. There
was a short time frame for this study and the family had several
unforeseeable situations occur during the course of this study.
• This research is important to early intervention because it is a proven
method of changing child problem behaviors and can be used to help
improve a family’s quality of life.