Training behavioral technicians to implement naturalistic behavioral interventions using behavioral skills training
BST quickly teaches techs to deliver labeled praise and other naturalistic strategies during play, boosting client generalization opportunities.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Five behavioral techs learned to use labeled praise during play. Trainers used BST: explain, model, practice, and feedback.
Sessions happened in a clinic playroom. Techs practiced with one child, then switched to a new child to test generalization.
What they found
All five techs hit mastery in 3–5 rounds. They kept the skills four weeks later and used them with a brand-new client.
Kids got more chances to practice language because praise kept the play going.
How this fits with other research
Macadangdang et al. (2022) also used BST, but taught kids ball skills instead of coaching adults. Both studies show BST works across ages and goals.
Keene et al. (2026) took BST apart and found modeling alone can teach data collection. Jimenez-Gomez kept the full package for play skills, so modeling may be enough for simple tasks but full BST still shines for complex social routines.
Osnes et al. (1986) taught students with ID to start chats; the 2019 paper flips the camera and trains staff. Together they show BST boosts natural talk whether the learner is a child or an adult.
Why it matters
You can run this package in one afternoon. Pick a play routine, script three labeled praises, and rotate staff through five-minute practice loops. Your techs leave the room ready to give real-time praise that keeps kids engaged and builds language without extra materials.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Training behavioral technicians mainly focuses on teaching accurate implementation of structured behavioral intervention programs. Often behavioral technicians are unable to adequately promote their clients' learning in less structured environments, which can limit opportunities for generalization of the clients' skills to the natural environment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using behavioral skills training to coach behavioral technicians on the implementation of naturalistic behavioral interventions. Naturalistic behavioral interventions take advantage of naturally occurring situations to teach new skills and practice mastered skills in natural settings, thus promoting generalization across environments and in the presence of natural contingencies. Five behavioral technicians were trained to implement a novel protocol based on play therapy. Specifically, they were coached to engage in well‐defined positive behaviors during their interactions with clients (e.g., labeled praise). All participants reached mastery criteria, maintained skills at follow‐up, and demonstrated generalization of skills with novel clients.
Behavioral Interventions, 2019 · doi:10.1002/bin.1666