Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Helping Parents Understand Applied Behavior Analysis: Creating a Parent Guide in 10 Steps

  • Discussion and Review Paper
  • Published:
Behavior Analysis in Practice Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Interventions based on applied behavior analysis (ABA) have been shown to be effective for children with a wide range of cognitive, adaptive, and functional abilities. Many special education teachers understand the principles of ABA and are adept at implementing ABA interventions for students. However, as the principles of ABA can be complex, communicating with parents about ABA interventions can be challenging. Providing parents with clear and succinct information in the form of a brief customized reference guide can be instrumental for facilitating and extending communication about their child’s behavioral interventions. This article provides school personnel with guidelines and resources for helping parents understand and use interventions that are based on ABA. Specifically, this article presents 10 steps for creating an information guide for parents and provides recommendations for explaining the guide to parents.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al-Harthy, N., Sudersanadas, K. M., Al-Mutairi, M., Vasudevan, S., Saleh, G. B., Al-Mutairi, M., & Hussain, L. W. (2016). Efficacy of patient discharge instructions: A pointer toward caregiver friendly communication methods from pediatric emergency personnel. Journal of Family and Community Medicine, 23(3), 155–160. https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8229.189128.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1, 91–97. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba1987.20-313.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2014). Professional and ethical compliance code for behavior analysts. Retrieved from https://bacb.com/ethics-code/

  • Bloh, C., & Axelrod, S. (2008). IDEIA and the means to change behavior should be enough: Growing support for using applied behavior analysis in the classroom. Journal of Early and Intensive Behavior Intervention, 5(2), 52–56. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0100419.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw, W. (2013). A framework for providing culturally responsive early intervention services. Young Exceptional Children, 16(1), 3–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briesch, A. M., & Briesch, J. M. (2016). Meta-analysis of behavioral self-management interventions in single-case research. School Psychology Review, 45(1), 3–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Childre, A., & Chambers, C. R. (2005). Family perceptions of student centered planning and IEP meetings. Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, 40, 217–233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2007). Applied behavior analysis (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill/Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cortiella, C. (2006). IDEA parent guide: A comprehensive guide to your rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004). New York, NY: National Center for Learning Disabilities.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dalun, Z., Hsein-Yuan, H., Oi-man, K., Benz, M., & Bowman-Perrott, L. (2011). The impact of basic-level parent engagements on student achievement: Patterns associated with race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES). Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 22(1), 28–39. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044207310394447.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Didden, R., Duker, P. C., & Korzilius, H. (1997). Meta-analytic study on treatment effectiveness for problem behaviors with individuals who have mental retardation. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 101(4), 387–399.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Drifke, M. A., Tiger, J. H., & Wierzba, B. C. (2017). Using behavioral skills training to teach parents to implement three-step prompting: A component analysis. Learning and Motivation, 57, 1–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egbert, J., & Salsbury, T. (2009). Out of complacency and into action: An exploration of professional development experiences in school/home literacy engagement. Teaching Education Journal, 20, 375–393.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fish, W. (2008). Perceptions of parents of students with autism towards the IEP meeting: A case study of one family support group chapter. Education, 127, 56–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fong, E. H., Catagnus, R. M., Brodhead, M. T., Quigley, S., & Field, S. (2016). Developing cultural awareness skills of behavior analysts. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9, 84–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-016-0111-6.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Fong, E. H., & Tanaka, S. (2013). Multicultural alliance of behavior analysis standards for cultural competence in behavior analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 8(2), 17–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gadke, D. L., Stratton, K. K., Kazmerski, G. S., & Rossen, E. (2016). Understanding the board certified behavior analyst credential. Communique, 45, 17–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gershwin-Mueller, T., & Buckley, P. C. (2014). Fathers’ experiences with the special education system: The overlooked voice. Research and Practice for Persons With Severe Disabilities, 39(2), 119–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gonida, E. N., & Cortina, K. S. (2014). Parental involvement in homework: Relations with parents and student achievement-related motivational beliefs and achievement. British Journal of Education Psychology, 84(3), 376–396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 (2004).

  • Johnson, A., & Sanford, J. (2005). Written and verbal information versus verbal information only for patients being discharged from acute hospital settings to home: Systematic review. Health Education Research, 20(4), 423–429. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyg141.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Joseph, L. M., Alber-Morgan, S. R., & Neef, N. (2016). Applying behavior analytic procedures to effectively teach literacy skills in the classroom. Psychology in the Schools, 53, 73–89. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.21883.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lerman, D. C., Swiezy, N., Perkins-Parks, S., & Roane, H. S. (2000). Skill acquisition in parents of children with developmental disabilities: Interaction between skill type and instructional format. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 21, 183–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, Y., Morgan, P. L., Hillemeier, M., Cook, M., Maczuga, S., & Farkas, G. (2013). Reading, mathematics, and behavioral difficulties interrelate: Evidence from a cross-lagged panel design and population-based sample of US upper elementary students. Behavioral Disorders, 38, 212–227.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • McNeal, R. J. (2014). Parent involvement, academic achievement, and the role of student attitudes and behaviors as mediators. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 2(8), 564–576.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueller, M. M., Piazza, C. C., Moore, J. W., Kelley, M. E., Bethke, S. A., Pruett, A. E., … Layer, S. A. (2003). Training parents to implement pediatric feeding protocols. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36, 545–562. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2003.36-545.

  • Nokali, N. E., Bachman, H. J., & Votruba-Drzal, E. (2010). Parent involvement and children’s academic and social development in elementary school. Child Development, 81, 988–1005. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01447.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Normand, M. P., & Kohn, C. S. (2013). Don’t wag the dog: Extending the reach of behavior analysis. The Behavior Analyst, 36, 109–122.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ross, K. R. (2007). Beyond autism treatment: The application of applied behavior analysis in the treatment of emotional and psychological disorders. International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 3, 528–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salend, S. J., & Taylor, L. S. (2002). Cultural perspectives: Missing pieces in the functional assessment process. Intervention in School and Clinic, 38(2), 104–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoner, J. B., Bock, S. J., Thompson, J. R., Angell, M. E., Heyl, B. S., & Crowley, E. P. (2005). Welcome to our world: Parent perceptions of interactions between parents of young children with ASD and education professionals. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 20, 39–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sugai, G., O’Keeffe, B. V., & Fallon, L. M. (2012). A contextual consideration of culture and school-wide positive behavior support. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 14(4), 197–208. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098300711426334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Studies, The Ohio State University, A426 PAES Bldg, 305 Annie & John Glenn Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

    Maria R. Helton

  2. Department of Educational Studies, The Ohio State University, A356 PAES Bldg, 305 Annie & John Glenn Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

    Sheila R. Alber-Morgan

Authors
  1. Maria R. Helton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sheila R. Alber-Morgan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sheila R. Alber-Morgan.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

Maria R. Helton declares that she has no conflict of interest. Sheila R. Alber-Morgan declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Helton, M.R., Alber-Morgan, S.R. Helping Parents Understand Applied Behavior Analysis: Creating a Parent Guide in 10 Steps. Behav Analysis Practice 11, 496–503 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-00284-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-00284-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation