Positive Behavior Support

2014

West Virginia has taken the lead in the movement to include individuals into the community. It has closed its large institutions and this has resulted in a need to provide supports in the community. The positive behavior support project provides training, consultation and team building so that individuals with developmental disabilities can live with community inclusion. The overall goal is to develop community supports such that individuals with developmental disabilities can have the greatest amount of community inclusion with the least amount of restrictions. The goal is to help individuals achieve a satisfactory lifestyle. Positive Behavior Support activities often focus on people who are having challenging behaviors like aggression or self-injury. Training and consultation may be provided to service providers, families and other people who are a part of the focus person's life. The Positive Behavior Support project uses person centered planning as the core of its activities. In other words, the consumers and their needs are central to the planning process. Consumers are seen as part of the team and are given a central role in developing their own goals. To whatever extent possible, the consumer is encouraged to take an active role in team meetings, decisions and planning. In developing supports, behavior analysis is used to develop environmental adjustments that promote appropriate, useful and self-enhancing behaviors. Central to this approach is an analysis of the environment rather than an analysis of the inner workings or of the personality of the focus person. Data is collected and decisions on environment changes are determined by observed changes in the focus person's behavior. The benefits of the Positive Behavior Support project are many. First, individuals learn to make better choices as they are part of the planning process. The focus person moves in directions that he or she finds fulfilling. Being part of the planning process gives the consumer ownership and provides a better fit with his or her real needs. As a result, the consumer has continuing motivation to strive for a better future. Second, service providers are trained in methods that empower individuals and in approaches to develop environmental supports that help the individuals move to their own stated goals. Third, individuals who have been plagued with challenging behaviors learn new self-enhancing skills. The focus on interactions between the environment and the individual's behavior allows consumers to gain increased independence, productivity, inclusion and satisfaction.

positive behavior support, futures planning, challenging behavior

Performing Research or Evaluation

Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Quality of Life, Other

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Specific Groups

State

N/A