Effects of Individualized Positive Behavioral Supports on Class Disruption Behaviors of a Middle School Student with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of individualized positive behavioral supports on class disruption behaviors of a middle school student with autism spectrum disorder. The subject was a middle school student with autism spectrum disorder. The multiple probe baseline design across behaviors was used for the research design. The study was carried out in the order of baseline, intervention, maintenance, and generalization. For developing individulized positive behavior, the team of PBS was formed. Based on functional behavior assessment for the subject, multi-factor interventions including intervention of antecedents and setting events, alternative behavior instruction, consequences intervention, and crisis management plan were developed and implemented in special education classroom. The results study were as follows: First, individulized positive behavior was effective in decreasing the class disruption behaviors of the middle school student with autism spectrum disorders. The effects of the intervention were maintained after the completion of the intervention and generalized to language art class. This study suggests that individulized positive behavior can help reduce the class disruption behaviors, maintain the intervention effects, and generalize the effects for middle school students with autism disabilities attending general middle schools.