Tag Archive: positive behavior support

Video of the Week: Intro to PBS

May 27, 2015 by - 1 Comment

Video of the Week - Intro to PBS

Most AAC practictioners understand and use elements of positive behavior support (PBS) in their work with people who have challenging behavior. This video, by the British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD), provides a helpful introduction to PBS, why it is used, and some of the key components. Even if you think you know PBS, this quick video is worth a watch. Not only is it a terrific resource to share with families and teams, but you may very well pick up a few things along the way.  

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AACtual Therapy: Positive Behavior Management with Gail Bennell

May 1, 2014 by - 2 Comments

AACtual Therapy: Positive Behavior Management with Gail Bennell

Today we’re welcoming back Australian SLP Gail Bennell, from Raising Nonverbal Children. Gail has a private practice and works tirelessly to disseminate AAC information through social media. You can see Gail’s previous guest post, on empowering parents, here. In this post, Gail talks about her approach to addressing behaviors that are challenging for us or the AAC learners with whom we work. We love the positive and prAACtical approach she uses.  

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A PrAACtical Look at the Incredible 5-Point Scale

November 18, 2012 by - Leave your thoughts

A PrAACtical Look at the Incredible 5-Point Scale

In an earlier post we listed some of our favorite strategies that aren’t as widely used as they could be in AAC intervention. Among them, was qualitative rating scales, or Likert-type scales. We use them for a variety of purposes and love their potential for expressive communication. – In this video, from From Autism and Tertiary Behavior Supports Project of the Kansas Technical Assistance Network, you’ll learn one way of using simple rating scales to help people with ASD regulate their own behavior. We like the detailed implementation information presented in The Incredible 5-point Scale. –

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Supporting Positive Behavior Through Contingency Mapping

July 21, 2012 by - 7 Comments

Supporting Positive Behavior Through Contingency Mapping

This month we’re focusing on visual supports and strategies to support positive behavior. We’ve talked about transition supports and environmental arrangements. Another way to help therapy sessions run smoothly and keep the focus on learning (rather than managing behavior) is to take proactive steps to make the expectations clear. For most people who are learning AAC, that means making sure there is a visual representation that accompanies the verbal explanation. – Many SLPs create a list of rules for expected behavior. In this post, we’ll talk about the research-supported strategy of using contingency maps. Contingency maps are a visual depiction that shows the desired behavior and the outcomes of two divergent paths: one where the learners engage in the desired behavior and the other that shows what happens if they don’t engage in the desired behavior. If you’re familiar with behavioral approaches, this strategy is right up your alley. The... [Read More...]

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PrAACtical Supports for Behavior

July 7, 2012 by - 2 Comments

PrAACtical Supports for Behavior

Rachel arrives to therapy tense and upset. Mauro gets frustrated when the clinician presents new activities. Brianna starts to bang the table when demands are placed on her. Zach becomes agitated when he has to wait for something he wants. – Like any set of tools and strategies, AAC works best when the communicator is relaxed, confident, and engaged. Our July Strategy of the Month focuses on PrAACtical Supports for Behavior. We hope to share ideas for planning therapy sessions that help AAC learners stay focused, calm, and engaged. — We’re big believers in the old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So, what can we do to prevent or minimize problems like the ones experienced by Rachel, Mauro, Brianna, and Zach? The answers have to do with having clear and appropriate expectations, and using visual and AAC supports effectively. When used consistently, these strategies... [Read More...]

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Language and Self-Determination

July 1, 2012 by - Leave your thoughts

Language and Self-Determination

  Last month we discussed strategies for building language skills with people who use AAC. Learning to use those skills to speak up and advocate for yourself is another process altogether. In this week’s feature videos, we share a link to the work of Dr. Pat Mirenda, hosted on the wonderful SET-BC site. –

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