Skill Acquisition

Question 1

What is a Skill Acquisition Plan?

Answer 1

The complete context in which a program/protocol fits, including plan for collecting baseline data and monitoring effectiveness of the plan.

Developing a skill acquisition plan is the primary role of the BCBA. RBTs should understand the components, how to read such plans, and how to implement programs based on such plans.

Question 2

Define Program/Protocol

Answer 2

The specific teaching components for targeting skills included in the skill acquisition plan.

Developing a program/protocol is the primary role of the BCBA. RBTs should understand the components, how to read such programs, and how to implement programs based on skill acquisition plan.

Question 3

What are the necessary components of a skill acquisition plan?

hint:

1) Specific G____
2) M______ Procedures
3) B_____line
4) Pro____ or Pro____
5) ______ of Effectiveness
6) M______ of Plan

Answer 3

1) Specific Goal- objective/measurable goal to address skill deficit
2) Measurement procedures- description of what data will be collected and how it will be monitored
3) baseline- objective/quantifiable data on pre-intervention performance of target skill
4) program/protocol- (see next card)
5) Assessment of effectiveness- data review, updated at regular intervals, with observation/conclusion regarding the effectiveness of an intervention plan
6) modification plan- system for modifying protocol if initial protocol is ineffective

Question 4

What are the necessary components of a program/protocol?

hint:

1) P_____ & R______
2) Relevant S_
3) Description of target r______
4) Step-by-step I______ of P_______
5) E_____ C______ P______
6) R______ Plan
7) D___ C________ Plan

Answer 4

1) purpose and rationale- description of exactly what the program/protocol is designed to teach and why that skill is necessary/valuable in the greater context of life
2) relevant Sd- what the RBT is supposed to say, do and/or present as the instruction to initiate the skill or to set the occasion for spontaneous performance of the skill
3) description of the target response- a clear description of what counts as the correct performance so that multiple observers are able to record performance consistently across observers
4) step-by-step implementation process- the exact process the RBT should follow to implement the program/protocol
5) error correction plan- a description of what the RBT should do if the client engages in an error and/or challenging behavior AND a description of what an “error” is in the context of that specific program
6) Reinforcement plan- a description of what the RBT should do to reinforce the target behavior, including what type of Reinforcer to use, the schedule of Reinforcement and plans for Fading out Reinforcers
7) data collection plan- a description of what data is to be recorded, such as what system to be used (Catalyst, paper) and exactly what portion of the client response will be scored/documented

Question 5

How do you prepare for a session as required by the skill acquisition plan?

hint:

1) review n____
2) review r______ d_____
3) review p______/p_____
4) prep m_______

Answer 5

1) Review notes- RBTs are responsible for reviewing previous session notes (both their own & those of other staff members) to know of any changes, updates, current phases, etc.

2) Review recent data- RBTs should review recent data to ensure they are targeting the correct phases and that they know where to begin expectations for the
day

3) Review protocols/programs- RBTs are always responsible for knowing what protocols are in place
and how to implement each. Reviewing these at the start of each session ensures updates don’t get missed and that your knowledge of the expectations is fresh

4) Prep materials- Any necessary materials for protocols and reinforcers, as well as data collection systems should be prepped/collected prior to starting the
session