Positive Behavior Support: What Parents Need to Know!

Filmed November 2015 – edited into 23 parts; total 252 minutes

Parents often assume that difficult eating, sleeping and toileting behaviors are part of their child’s autism and must be endured. This video will provide parents with an overview of Positive Behavior Support (PBS). Many families find PBS very helpful in learning how to help their children with diverse needs develop functional behaviors that can make a huge difference in the quality of family life and the child’s ability to be included in school and community activities. Some of the topics include:

  • the four functions of behavior
  • indirect and direct assessment
  • teaching strategies
  • three examples of PBS
  • visual support strategies and examples

Core features of PBS include the application of behavioral science (ABA), the use of practical interventions to prevent problem behavior and promote desired behavior, and a focus on improving the quality of life for the individual and those who live with and support him/her.

Download the supplementary handout for this video series

About the Presenter

Brenda Fossett, Ph.D., BCBA-D is an inspired teacher who is widely admired for her ability to convey complex concepts to those who work with children and adults with diverse needs, whether they are educational professionals or parents.  Dr. Fossett has been on faculty in the Applied Behavior Analysis – Autism Department at Capilano University since 2013. Prior to that she was Assistant Professor (Special Education) at the University of Alberta. She is also a certified teacher of the deaf, as well as being a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Dr. Fossett has extensive clinical experience providing behavioral and educational consultative services to children with ASD, deafness, and other developmental disabilities in home, school, and community settings. Her scholarly and clinical interests include: applied behavior analysis, the implementation of positive behavior support in home and school settings, and educational interventions for deaf children with developmental disabilities. For more information on Dr. Fossett see Capilano University ABA Diploma

Part 1: Introduction and The Shift to PBS (9:54)

Part 2: What is PBS? (24:23)

Part 3: What the PBS Process Looks Like (6:10)

Part 4: What is Functional Behavioral (5:39)

Part 5: The Four Functions of Behavior (8:54)

Part 6: Indirect Assessment Interview: Behavior, Antecedents, Outcomes (17:16)

Part 7: Indirect Assessment Interview: Communication Abilities and Reinforcers (10:00)

Part 8: Indirect Assessment: An Example (9:59)

Part 9: Direct Assessment (9:27)

Part 10: Direct and Indirect Assessment Guides the Intervention (4:16)

Part 11: PBS Plans: Setting Event Strategies (10:34)

Part 12: PBS Plans: Antecedent Strategies (12:59)

Part 13:Teaching Strategies/ Functional Communication Training (10:37)

Part 14: Consequence Strategies (5:29)

Part 15: PBS Example: Transition to Bath (15:29)

Part 16: PBS Example: Transition from Computer (7:19)

Part 17: PBS Example: Dinner (16:36)

Part 18: Accessing PBS Services (11:50)

Part 19: Visual Support Strategies to Prevent Problem Behavior (12:29)

Part 20: Visual Support Examples (24:17)

Part 21: Visual Schedules: Behavioral Support, Skill Development, Showing Steps (8:54)

Part 22: Visual Supports to Understand Rules (11:07)

Part 23: Putting it all Together (9:03)