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Maximizing Effectiveness Using Positive Behavior Support Methods in the Classroom:

Self-Management

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Objectives Understand the importance of self

management Understand ways to help students

manage their own behavior Understand various tools used for

self management techniques

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What is Self-Management? Student awareness of challenging

behavior Student observes and tracks

performance

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Self-Management: Description Students are given a recording form and

instructed to mark down each time a specific behavior occurs

Disruptive behaviors generally decrease and appropriate behaviors increase

Good self-monitoring systems have well defined behaviors, are easy to use, and consist of rewards for appropriate behavior

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Self-Management: Purpose Increase students’ awareness

of their performance of specific behavior (positive and/or negative)

Allow students to take responsibility and control for own behavior and delivery of reinforcement

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Individual Student Tracking…

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Self-Monitoring Steps

1. Identify Behavior2. Self-monitoring Schedule3. Self-monitoring Form4. Begin to Rate Student5. Teach the Student6. Begin Intervention7. Supply Rewards

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Step 1: Identify Behavior Challenging behavior or academic

concern Define in observable terms Effective system for talk-outs, off-

task behavior, classroom rules, etc…

Identify alternative behavior to teach State positive alternative

behavior to increase Identify how and when student

will track new alternative behavior

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Step 2: Self-Monitoring Schedule

Individually determined Teacher best judge of

probable frequency Keep frequency times in

specific times (i.e., math time)

Short frequency counts are harder

Suggestion: Subdivide academic periods into equal intervals

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Step 3: Self-Monitoring Form

Select an appropriate self-monitoring form

Should be easy to use List appropriate goals

at top Well-defined behaviors Specific goals

List item ratings below

Consider age of child

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Step 4: Begin to Rate Student

Collect baseline data

Use student’s self-monitoring sheet

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Step 5: Teach the Student Review behavior

definition and baseline data

Describe and teach self-monitoring procedure

Allow practice opportunities for teacher/student rating agreement

Trial period Determine

reinforcement and criteria

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Step 6: Begin Intervention Ask student to rate own behavior at end

of each chosen rating interval Continue to rate student’s behavior Compare two ratings

Within 1 point--student earns points More than 1 point difference--student loses

points Exact agreement--earn point PLUS bonus

points

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Step 7: Supply Reward(s)

•Self monitoring only changes behavior temporarily

•It is important to have a contingency plan and gradually withdraw over time

•Goal is to TEACH appropriate skills in conjunction with self-monitoring system

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Whole Class Tracking…

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Whole Class Self-Monitoring Adaptation of individual self-

monitoring techniques developed to increase self-control in all students

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Why Whole Class Self-Monitoring Helps prevent the problem of

targeting specific students Model students also benefit from

learning self-control Classroom structures that develop

from self-monitoring benefit all students

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Suggestions for Whole Class Self-Monitoring Adjust class schedule if necessary Decide on a cue (i.e., timer) Design a flexible and simple tracking

sheet Begin the program Teach and model appropriate

behaviors Plan for extinction (i.e., graduation)

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Challenges, Solutions, and Helpful Hints…

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Challenges to Self-Monitoring Student may refuse to self-monitor

the behavior Student keeps missing occurrences

of the behavior to record Dishonest recording of behavior

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Possible Solutions Offer the student an incentive or reward for

using the program appropriately (i.e., classroom privilege)

If the behavior is missed, point it out to the student and prompt him/her to record it.

Check the definition of the behavior Make sure the definition is specific If necessary, model for the student If totals do not match closely (determine

criteria ahead of time) then a reward will be missed

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Fading to Self-Monitoring

Fade frequency of comparison of ratings Continue to record ratings at end of each

interval Comparing ratings drops from 100% to 0

Lengthen rating interval Fade frequency of receiving backup

reinforcement Stretch out time period between when points

earned and when exchanged for backup rewards

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Helpful Hints… Avoid any other conduct systems at the same time Rules and consequences should be maintained Praise honesty in self-reporting Never change a mark a student has given him/herself Teach and model appropriate behaviors Allow students to model appropriate behaviors to

peers Gradually increase time/frequency Work towards extinction Make a big deal about extinction Let parents know what is going on Give the system time to work

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Self-Monitoring Tools…..

Example:

Individual Student Recording Sheet

Example:

Weekly Summary Sheet

Example:

Individual and/or Whole Class Recording Sheet