Applied Behaviour Analysis and Positive Behaviour Support

Behaviour analysis provides us with a powerful technology for changing behaviour, but our clients may be very young and/or vulnerable. How can we ensure that we are harnessing the technology ethically, compassionately, and for the best interests of our clients? How can we navigate the complex ethical challenges that often arise in practice, and how can we meet our ethical responsibilities to the field?

Through consideration of key ethical issues in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and appraisal of current ethical guidelines and codes, you will develop an advanced understanding of the role of ethical and professional conduct in applied behaviour analysis and positive behaviour support. You will critically analyse contemporary issues in ethics, such as the importance of quality of life, assent and cultural responsiveness, and reflect upon the historical context that drove ethical developments in the field. The module will provide you with opportunities to practice your skills in applying ethical standards and generating solutions, identify unethical practices in others, and demonstrate a grounding in values- and evidence-based support. These core skills will provide a solid foundation for your career as a behavioural practitioner at the forefront of ethical and professional practice in the field.

What is human behaviour, and what influences it? Understanding human behaviour has never been more relevant than today in the face of our rapidly evolving society. By introducing you to the concepts and principles of applied behaviour analysis, this module develops your ability to understand the factors that influence human behaviour and to consider these factors critically. You will develop your ability to dissect a situation to understand why a behaviour occurred. You will learn about concepts such as respondent and operant conditioning, verbal behaviour, stimulus equivalence and generative learning, among others. In this module, we will build on the concepts, taking you on a journey from the fundamentals like respondent and operant conditioning to advanced concepts like contingency adduction. Lessons will dynamically build on each other, with teaching focused on real-world examples and research. The blend of fundamental and advanced concepts and principles will equip you with the foundational knowledge to analyse the factors influencing human behaviour from a theoretical and applied perspective.

Why do behaviours that challenge develop and maintain over time for some people with intellectual or developmental disabilities? Which factors facilitate or prevent skills development and reduction in behaviours that challenge? And how can we assess and understand the complex range of environmental and personal influences on an individual’s behaviour?

You will be introduced to contemporary models analysing the factors affecting an individual’s behaviour, including behaviours that challenge and skill acquisition. You will develop a critical understanding of how these models relate to how behaviour is assessed in the field. By appraising the full range of behaviour analytic assessment methodologies (e.g., functional, skills-based, and ecological assessments), you will develop practical skills in designing and implementing holistic assessments to understand an individual’s behaviour. You will practice interpreting and synthesising multiple sources of assessment data, utilising this to generate comprehensive formulations that illustrate the key factors relevant to an individual’s behaviour and which can form the basis of personalised support plans. These skills are crucial to effective and ethical practice in applied behaviour analysis and positive behaviour support.

What is the optimal way to measure human behaviour and monitor its trajectory across time? Is it possible to isolate the variables affecting one’s behaviour so we can study them? How do behaviour analysts conduct research? In this module, you will receive comprehensive training in defining, observing, recording, graphing, and analysing human behaviour and its controlling variables. You will be trained in state-of-the-art approaches to data collection and research methodologies central to Applied Behaviour Analysis and Positive Behaviour Support. By the end of the module, you will be empowered to critically reflect on ways to collect data, scrutinise the reliability and validity of existing evidence, adeptly design and implement single-case experimental designs, interpret and formulate comparative, component, and parametric analyses, interpret and calculate effect sizes pertinent to single-case designs, and engage in a reflective analysis of broader research methodologies, such as evidence synthesis and qualitative approaches.

What is the role of philosophy in the science of human behaviour? What is the relevance of understanding the philosophical underpinnings of applied behaviour analysis for clinicians and practitioners? This module develops your understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of applied behaviour analysis, with careful consideration of the relevance of these to practice. You will learn to understand behaviour from various perspectives, including radical behaviourism, methodological behaviourism, and functional contextualism. You will also learn about opposing yet common perspectives about behaviour, like mentalism. This module will equip you to critically consider perspectives on behaviour and align your practice to the core dimensions of applied behaviour analysis and the philosophical underpinnings of applied behaviour analysis and positive behaviour support. By discussing controversies related to radical behaviourism, this module develops your ability to unpack this philosophy and its relevance to our practice critically. Clear links are drawn throughout the teaching, drawing together philosophy and the relevance for clinical practice. By understanding philosophy, you will gain a deeper understanding of practice in applied behaviour analysis and positive behaviour support throughout this module.

What should an intervention for skills teaching or behaviour that challenges involve? How can behavioural strategies be implemented to teach individuals skills and support them with behaviours that challenge? By introducing you to a variety of intervention approaches, all rooted in behaviour analysis, you will develop an advanced understanding of the design and implementation of positive strategies to improve the quality of life of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their inner circle. You will be taught about various intervention approaches such as, but not limited to, the use of proactive and preventative strategies, verbal behaviour interventions, non-aversive consequence-based strategies, positive behaviour support, and instructional approaches. Lectures will include a range of methods which will enable the various approaches to come to life, with ample opportunities for practising the approaches (either on campus or via distance learning) and engaging in stimulating activities to consolidate your learning. You will gain knowledge and skills in this module, enhancing or changing your approach to your clinical practice.

How can we cultivate a positive and constructive organisational culture within intellectual and developmental disability services? What strategies yield the most significant impact, and how do organisational barriers affect service delivery? How can we effectively train staff members using evidence-based approaches? What are optimal supervision practices that also incorporate considerations around cultural humility? In this module, you will receive thorough training on all aspects of organisational behavioural management, including, but not limited to, staff training, supervision, performance analysis and management, leadership, and systems-level considerations. By the end of this module, you will have advanced knowledge of key developments in these areas and how they can influence the quality of support offered in learning disability services. You will also acquire the skills to address implementation issues and effectively incorporate stakeholders' input into service delivery and management processes.

How can research in applied behaviour analysis and positive behaviour support enhance clinical practice? What steps are involved in establishing an evidence base for a particular area? How does one develop a research proposal and navigate the ethical approval process for their project? In this module, you will enhance your research skills and gain unique insights into conducting high-quality research. Whether you complete an empirical project, such as a survey, focus groups, or evaluation of an intervention, or opt for a non-empirical project, such as a policy review or systematic review, you will receive guidance and supervision from a member of the Tizard course team. Throughout the process, you will learn to construct a research proposal, navigate ethical approval procedures (where applicable), design and implement data collection methods, and analyse and interpret your results. Ultimately, this module will pave the way for you to become an expert in your chosen area of focus while equipping you with valuable skills for future research endeavours if you decide to pursue them.