Date of Award:
12-2025
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling
Committee Chair(s)
Audrey Hoffmann
Committee
Audrey Hoffmann
Committee
Stephen M. Kwiatek
Committee
Kristen Rolf
Abstract
This project looked at how to train school staff in effective strategies for supporting students with disabilities who engage in challenging behaviors like hitting, self-injury, or crying. We taught three school staff members to use a behavioral intervention called Functional Communication Training (FCT), which helps students learn more appropriate ways to communicate their needs, while also ensuring they do not gain access to reinforcement for challenging behaviors. Staff were trained using Behavioral Skills Training (BST), a step-by-step approach that includes instructions, modeling, practice, and feedback. After the training, the school staff were able to use these strategies correctly, and the students showed fewer challenging behaviors and more appropriate communication. This study provides evidence that school staff can be successfully trained to use these strategies in real classrooms, which may help more students with disabilities succeed in school.
Recommended Citation
Johnston, Megan, "Using Behavioral Skills Training to Teach School Staff to Implement Functional Communication Training" (2025). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present. 651.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd2023/651
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