PYRAMIDAL STAFF TRAINING IN THE EXTENSION OF TREATMENT FOR SEVERE BEHAVIOR DISORDERS

We implemented a pyramidal training procedure for staff working with i ndividuals who exhibited self-injurious behavior (SIE), aggression, an d disruption. Two adults with developmental disabilities and their dir ect-care staff and supervisors participated. Following successful trea tment by the experimenters, two types of baselines were conducted with the clients and their direct-care staff During an initial baseline, t he staff implemented preexisting procedures. Staff members then receiv ed instruction on the new treatment procedures using training methods common throughout the institution, and data were collected during this ''post-in-service'' baseline. Experimenters then taught unit supervis ors to implement treatment, collect and interpret data, and provide si milar instructions and feedback to the staff members. The supervisor t raining was implemented in a multiple baseline design across subjects (clients and direct-care staff). Results showed little change followin g in-service training but noticeable improvements in direct-care staff behaviors and corresponding decreases in the clients' inappropriate b ehavior following the pyramidal training intervention with supervisors . Six additional clients (along with their direct-care staff and super visors) participated in pre- and posttreatment replication designs, an d their results provided additional support for the efficacy of the su pervisor training procedures.