Person Focused Training: a model for delivering positive behavioural supports to people with challenging behaviours.
Train staff with brief coaching and they can run PBS plans that cut challenging behaviour for most adults with ID for years.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team trained 138 front-line staff to write and run Positive Behaviour Support plans for adults with intellectual disability.
Staff got workshops, on-the-job coaching, and follow-up visits over about 22 months.
Each plan was built around one person’s triggers, skills, and rewards.
What they found
Challenging behaviour dropped in 77 % of the 138 cases.
Gains held steady nearly two years later.
The biggest drops were in hitting, screaming, and self-injury.
How this fits with other research
Spealman et al. (1978) first showed that Behavioural Skills Training works for people with ID, teaching five women to pick matching outfits. McAdam et al. (2005) scales that same training method up from one small skill to full support plans.
Jimenez‐Gomez et al. (2019) later used BST to coach techs in naturalistic play. Their quick mastery and generalization echo the staff gains seen here, showing the method keeps working across decades.
Wilkie (1973) trained teachers with a token-helper coach and cut classroom disruption. McAdam et al. (2005) swaps tokens for full PBS plans and moves the setting from school to adult homes, proving the coach model travels well.
Why it matters
You can train DSPs, teachers, or parents to run solid PBS plans and see lasting drops in severe behaviour. Start with a brief workshop, add live coaching, and keep monthly check-ins. The 77 % success rate gives you strong odds for your next tough case.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Person Focused Training is introduced as a model of service delivery for people with severe challenging behaviours. It is defined as training and supporting staff to conduct functional assessments and to design and implement positive behavioural support for specific individuals with challenging behaviours. METHOD: Longitudinal outcome data are presented from 138 behaviour support plans developed by staff over a seven year period were analysed to determine reductions in frequency of challenging behaviours. Degree of behaviour change was determined across topography of behaviour, gender, age, level of disability, location of residence and role of course participant. RESULTS: Results indicate that the implementation by staff of behaviour support plans are associated with significant improvement in 77% of cases at an average follow-up of 22 months after implementation of support plans. Only location of residence was identified as related to reduction in challenging behaviours with large residential centres being associated with lower rates of behavioural improvement. CONCLUSIONS: It is argued that Person Focused training may represent an alternative to existing models of supporting individuals with challenging behaviours. The implications of front-line staff designing and implementing behaviour support plans for the organisation of services and the role of the clinical psychologist are considered.
Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR, 2005 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2788.2005.00669.x