Although function-based treatments have been proven to decrease challenging behavior, it is unclear whether these results translate to socially significant outcomes. In fact, researchers rarely analyze what happens outside the highly controlled setting in which behavior analytic sessions typically occur. In our first study, we used a changing…

The focus of this doctoral project was to investigate the implementation of a new behavioral management system, Positive Behaviors Intervention and Support (PBIS), by the teaching staff in grades K-6 at a specific school. The aim of PBIS is to create a consistent set of behavior expectations across the entire campus, rather than just within…

The qualitative case study explores the experiences and perceptions of elementary school teachers' implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) for behavioral management in their classrooms. The study addresses the increasing issue of behavioral problems affecting instruction and academic outcomes in the classroom. By…

Challenging behavior in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can lead to decreased quality of life and social and community inclusion. Compared to research with children there is relatively limited research on effective behavior support interventions for adults with disabilities. The Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) program…

Despite the existence of various special education laws and mandates aimed at protecting the rights of students with learning disabilities (LD), these students tend to be removed from the classroom setting at disproportionate rates and durations when compared to students without disabilities. The purpose of this interpretive phenomenology was to…

Preschool teachers in a small county in a southern state are among a growing number of teachers who have expressed concern about not having the skills needed to support young children with challenging behaviors. The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) teaching pyramid was developed to help preschool teachers…

Disruptive behaviors are some of the most difficult behaviors for teachers to address in schools. They can take multiple forms in the classroom, and can impact the student displaying them, as well the rest of the learning environment in terms of academic engagement. Disruptive behaviors are believed to be displayed by students for the purpose of…

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of two virtual prerecorded trainings. Training 1 is a three-hour training titled "Basics of Classroom Behavior Management." Training 2 is a 10-hour training titled "Behavior Reduction." Evidence of implementation was confirmed by direct observations of teacher and student…

Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) are master's level practitioners who typically provide assessments, write programs, monitor, and oversee implementation of behavior plans, and monitor a learner's progress over time to address skill acquisition and reduce challenging behaviors. BCBAs typically work in ABA clinics, in a learner's home, in…

Focus groups and interviews can help to determine teachers' perspectives on classroom management. The problem with special education in the United States is that teachers are not prepared for specific classroom challenges, and their perceptions of classroom management have not been thoroughly documented. Gaps in the literature included teachers'…

The number of credentialed behavior analysts has been growing exponentially as the field tries to keep up with the demand for credentialed professionals. As the field continues to grow and expand, behavior analysts have found higher demand for their expertise not only in clinical settings but school settings as well. There is little information…

Urban elementary school teachers face many challenges in the classroom. Addressing challenging student behaviors is one of these challenges. Challenging student behaviors, which include disruptive behaviors such as noncompliance and verbal aggression, can impede student engagement, and if students are not engaged, their learning is stymied.…

Undesirable behavior happens in schools and has often been punished by suspending and expelling students who misbehave. Exclusionary practices like these deprive students of educational opportunity and have not been shown to improve behavior or school climate. Negative consequences include the school to prison pipeline, which refers to a…

This dissertation was designed to determine which behavior analytic intervention was more effective in the treatment and reduction of mouthing non-nutritive substances in children diagnosed with autism. This study included four participants in an A-B-A reversal design with a component analysis across four intervention phases. The study…

Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) is a reinforcement schedule that commonly includes the delivery of a reinforcer following an interval during which a target behavior did not occur and extinction (i.e., the reinforcer is withheld following any instances of the target behavior). Although interventions using DRO schedules can…