What is Behavioral Skills Training?

Behavioral skills training (BST) is an instructional procedure used in applied behavior analysis (ABA) to teach new behaviors or skills. It involves teaching new skills or behaviors through a systematic process of modeling, role-playing, feedback, and reinforcement.

The goal of BST is to increase an individual’s ability to perform a target behavior and to make the behavior more fluent and independent. BST is typically used to teach a wide range of skills, including daily living skills, communication skills, social skills, and academic skills.

Now…

How can I use Behavioral Skills Training (BST) in training staff?

Behavior skills training (BST) can be used in staff training in a number of ways. Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Define the target behavior: Clearly identify the behavior or skill you want to train your staff on. This could be a specific task, communication skill, or behavior related to their job responsibilities.
2. Model the behavior: Demonstrate the target behavior by modeling it yourself or using a model who is skilled in the behavior. Ensure that the demonstration is clear, concise, and easy to understand.
3. Role-playing: Provide opportunities for your staff to practice the target behavior through role-playing exercises. This allows them to receive immediate feedback and guidance on their performance.
4. Feedback: Provide verbal and/or physical feedback on their performance during the role-playing exercises. Ensure that the feedback is specific, positive, and reinforces the correct performance of the target behavior.
5. Reinforcement: Reinforce the correct performance of the target behavior with positive reinforcement, such as praise, tokens, or other incentives.
6. Generalization: Gradually reduce the level of support and guidance provided, to encourage your staff to perform the behavior independently.

It is important to make the BST process as interactive and engaging as possible, and to provide ample opportunities for your staff to practice the target behavior. BST is a highly effective method for training staff, and it can be adapted to suit a wide range of behaviors and skills.

Want to learn more? Take our  CEU, “Help! I Have to Train Adults: Behavior Skills Training to The Rescue #recorded” with instructor, Amy DeFusco, MA, BCBA, ECSE.

Help! I Have to Train Adults: Behavior Skills Training to The Rescue #recorded