The Effects of Individualized Education Plan Support Team on Improving Challenging Behaviors in Typical Preschoolers: Focusing on Occupational Therapists

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify the competencies of occupational therapists as members of the individualized education team and to apply individualized education to children exhibiting challenging behaviors, thereby reducing the children's challenging behaviors and alleviating the educational difficulties faced by classroom teachers. Methods This 7-week study involved a 3-year-old boy in D Metropolitan City, aiming to create an individualized education plan through consultations with a specialized team including an occupational therapist and other professionals. Using ABC behavior charts and rating scales, we established and implemented short and long-term goals. The homeroom teacher applied these strategies three times a week, following guidelines designed to address the child's challenging behaviors. Results Following the intervention, notable improvements were observed in the child's behavior, with significant reductions in challenge behaviors and anxiety levels, as tracked by the ABC behavior chart and rating scales. Short-term goals showed marked progress, demonstrating the effectiveness of the tailored strategies. Positive feedback from the homeroom teacher and director highlighted the structured approach's success in addressing the child's needs and the potential benefits of professional guidance in educational settings. Conclusions The role of the individualized education support team for challenging behaviors in typical children was found to be effective in reducing challenging behaviors, and the necessity of the occupational therapist's role as a member of the individualized education team was confirmed. This study is a pilot study focusing on a single child, and future research aims to expand to various children to examine the impact of occupational therapists on challenging behaviors in typical children.