Developing behavioural training services to meet defined standards within an Australian statewide disability service system and the associated client outcomes

Abstract

Background LaVigna, Christian, and Willis (2005) reported on a project where Institute for Applied Behaviour Analysis (IABA) staff trained a professional team in New Zealand (NZ) to provide behavioural services that met defined criteria. The NZ team was then trained to train other practitioners to meet the same professional standards. However, no client outcomes were reported in that study.

Method This study replicates the NZ study within disability services in Tasmania, Australia. Further, this study examined the associated client outcomes and the impact of the training on severity ratings of subsequent referrals.

Results Tasmanian trainers trained participants to provide behavioural services that met the same professional standards. Client behavioural outcome data showed significant improvement. Referral data showed decreases in severity ratings.

Conclusions The trainer of trainers process is effective in training staff to meet defined professional standards, including desired client outcomes, and to effectively make positive behaviour support accessible to a large number of people.

Keywords:

• challenging
• behaviour
• training
• disability
• episodic severity

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Judy Broadhurst, a member of the original training team; Charley Hodgson, Rosemarie Baker, and Kristen Webb, for their contribution to the training; and Mike Plaister, Wendy Quinn, Annie Curtis, and Ingrid Ganley, for their support of the project.

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