Practical Functional Assessments and Skilled Based Treatment
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What is a Practical Functional Assessment?
A practical functional assessment (PFA) is a reliable tool to better understand behaviours of concern. Part of a PFA is an open-ended interview with familes or people the directly support a child to gather information on the triggers of behaviours of concern and why they might be occurring. This information is used in the PFA to confirm or refine triggers to behaviours of concern and to identify specific consequences that have been maintaining these behaviours. These results help form goals for early intervention programs which will first focus on increasing safety and wellbeing while developing communication, toleration of when communication sometimes is denied, and voluntary attendance and engagement with learning.
What is SBT?
Skills-Based Treatment has been developed to support children who demonstrate behaviours of concern. SBT’s core values hold a trauma-assumed approach to supporting children. Recognising from the onset the impact trauma has on an individual and integrates this understanding into the treatment. The SBT focuses on safety, dignity and rapport to prompt skill development and behaviour change in a supportive and empowering environment. If your child engages in behaviours of concern, you might be looking for ways to help them learn new skills to support your child. Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) can be a powerful tool in achieving these goals. This guide provides a basic understanding of SBT and how it can support your child.
SBT is based on the learning principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis that focuses on teaching children essential skills to manage their environment and communicate effectively. These skills empower them to cope with challenges in a positive way and ultimately reduce the reliance on behaviours of concern.
The first aim of the intervention is to understand what makes an individual feel happy, relaxed and engaged and then implemented a systematic program around this to develop pre-learning skills of functionally communicating, toleration, the ability to relinquish and skills in transitioning to learning spaces.
Here are some key things to know about the SBT approach:
- Focuses on Skills, Not Just Behaviour: SBT goes beyond simply stopping behaviours of concern. It works on teaching your child functional skills to express needs, manage emotions, and complete tasks independently.
- Individualised Approach: Every child learns differently and has unique needs. SBT programs are tailored to your child’s specific challenges, strengths, and learning style.
- Positive Reinforcement: SBT emphasizes positive reinforcement to encourage your child to use the new skills they are learning.
What Skills Does SBT Teach?
The specific skills targeted in SBT will vary depending on your child’s needs, but some common areas include:
- Communication: Learning to express wants, needs, and feelings clearly, whether verbally or through alternative communication methods like picture cards or sign language.
- Self-care: Developing skills for independence (eg: dressing and hygiene routines).
- Coping Skills: Learning strategies to manage frustration, regulate emotions, and cope with difficult situations without resorting to challenging behaviours.
- Task Completion: Following instructions, maintaining focus, and completing tasks independently.
- Social Interaction: Understanding social cues, initiating interactions with others, and engaging in appropriate play activities.
The SBT Process:
SBT follows a structured process to ensure effectiveness. Here’s a simplified view of what you can expect:
- Understanding Why: The therapist will first work with you to understand why the behaaviour is happening, what makes your child feel happy, relaxes and engaged, and what makes them feel safe.
- Developing a Plan: Based on this understanding, the therapist will collaborate with you to create a personalised SBT plan outlining the target behaviours and the replacement skills your child will learn.
- Learning New Skills: Your child will work with the therapist to learn and practice the identified replacement skills in a safe and supportive environment.
- Monitoring Progress: Throughout the program, the therapist will track your child’s progress and adjust the plan as needed to ensure continued success.
Benefits of SBT for Your Child:
SBT offers several advantages for your child, including:
- Reduced Behaviours of Concern: SBT can help decrease the frequency and intensity of challenging behaviors, leading to a calmer and safer environment.
- Improved Communication: By learning to communicate effectively and build stronger relationships.
- Increased Independence: Mastering essential skills empowers your child to complete tasks independently and gain a sense of self-confidence.
- Emotional Regulation: SBT equips your child with coping strategies to manage frustration and navigate challenging situations more effectively.
Working Together for Success:
SBT is a collaborative effort between you, the therapist, and other caregivers involved in your child’s life. The therapist will provide you ongoing support throughout the process. If you child is implementing SBT at the clinic (recommended) we will set up a shared file to view how the SBT progress is going.
SBT offers a positive and effective approach to address behaviours of concern to support your child with valuable life skills. By working together with our team we can help your child thrive and reach their full potential.
Further Resources – We highly recommend checking out these websites below which detail more information on SBT and evidence.
https://practicalfunctionalassessment.com/for-parents
