What Is Behavior Skills Training In ABA Therapy?

Behavior Skills Training (BST) is a key component of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. It is a systematic approach to teaching new skills or behaviors to individuals with developmental disabilities or behavioral disorders. BST is used to teach a variety of skills, including social skills, communication skills, self-help skills, and academic skills.

The Four Parts of Behavioral Skills Training

BST involves four main components: instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. Here's how each component works:

Instruction

Provide clear and concise instructions to the professionals and/or caregivers, which means that instructions are easy to remember and highlight the main teaching points. These instructions should be provided in a visual cue as well.

Modeling

Modeling involves demonstrating the desired behavior or skill to the individual. The therapist or trainer will show the individual how to perform the behavior or skill correctly. This can be done through videos, pictures, or live demonstrations.

Rehearsal

After modeling, the individual is given the opportunity to practice the behavior or skill. The therapist or trainer will guide the individual through the steps of the behavior or skill until they can perform it independently.

Feedback

Feedback is an essential component of BST. The therapist or trainer will provide feedback to the individual on their performance. Feedback can be positive or corrective, depending on the individual's performance. Positive feedback is given when the individual performs the behavior or skill correctly, while corrective feedback is given when the individual makes a mistake.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, Behavior Skills Training is a systematic approach to teaching new skills or behaviors to individuals with developmental disabilities or behavioral disorders.

It involves modeling, rehearsal, feedback, and reinforcement. BST is an evidence-based practice that has been shown to be effective in teaching new skills to individuals with developmental disabilities or behavioral disorders.

It is often used in conjunction with other ABA techniques and is also used to train parents, teachers, and other caregivers.