Self-determined behavior change: The need for capacity, opportunity and support

Abstract

Objective: This article discusses how self-determination is central to positive behavior support, provides recommendations on how to promote it, and identifies future areas of research. Background: The value of incorporating self-determination strategies in positive behavior support plans is receiving increased attention. Rather than continue to rely on an externally controlled behavior change model in which “others” (e.g., teachers, service providers) determine the method to use to modify the behavior of a service recipient (student, client), self-determination shifts the responsibility over to that person; that is, he or she is integrally involved in selecting an appropriate strategy, executing it and monitoring how well he or she is doing. Conclusion: The inclusion of self-determination strategies in positive behavior support warrants further attention as individuals who have challenging behavior may be in an optimal position to manipulate their own behavior change.

Keywords:

• Capacity and opportunity
• positive behavior change
• self-determination
• treatment acceptability

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.