Inside Behavior Analysis
Volume 1 | 2009 | Number 1
Positive Behavior Support
By Bob Putnam
The Positive Behavior Support Special Interest Group (PBS-SIG) is dedicated to promoting research-based strategies that combine applied behavior analysis and biomedical science with person-centered values and systems change to increase quality of life and decrease problem behaviors. The overall goal of the PBS SIG to promote the use of positive behavior support interventions in schools, communities, agencies, and in homes and support practitioners in its use. The PBS SIG addresses members of ABA engaged in experimental and applied analyses of behavior who are interested in positive behavior support. Established in 2005, the goals of the SIG are to promote and disseminate positive behavior support within ABA.
The PBS SIG held its annual business meeting on May 24, 2009, at the Annual Conference of the Association for Behavior Analysis International meeting. The PBS SIG currently has over 50 members, including Officers Bob Putnam, Ben Smith, and Patricia Egan.
The group reviewed the goals of the PBS-SIG and discussed ways to:
- Increase the number and visibility of PBS presentations at the ABA Conference
- Disseminate accurate information about PBS to ABA's membership
- Promote methodologically sound, data-based PBS research
- Encourage open dialogue among behavior analysts and proponents of PBS
There was a discussion of a number of topics related to the goals of the PBS-SIG. A review of presentations at the 2009 ABAI indicated that although there are a large number of presentations that are presented by members of Association of Positive Behavior Support (APBS) the presentations are not identified as a positive behavior support presentations. A discussion of how to increase the number of presentations at ABAI that are identified as positive behavior support presentation was engaged in.
A discussion of how to increase membership of the SIG by current members of ABAI was conducted. There are many members of ABAI who are also members of APBS. A survey was suggested to determine how many of the current PBS-SIG members are members of APBS and how many of APBS members are member of ABAI.
Another suggested goal was to further develop relationships with the APBS, which now has over 1200 members, and to provide information to its membership to encourage APBS members to join the ABAI.
It was suggested that a newsletter be reestablished and distributed on a semi-annual basis to increase visibility and increase interest in positive behavior support interventions and practices. Members of the PBS-SIG were encouraged to submit manuscripts on positive behavior support interventions for a special edition of the Journal of Behavioral Assessment and Treatment for Children that will focus on positive behavior support interventions to be edited by Bob Putnam.
Anyone who is interested in behavior analysis or positive behavior support is welcomed to join the SIG. To become involved, you can email Bob Putnam at bputnam@mayinstitute.org