Behavioral Skills

Behavioral Skills Training (BST), is an evidence-based teaching approach that is based on

applied behavior analysis. It helps to enable people with acquired adaptive behaviors or practical adaptive skills that can be viewed as healthy alternatives to unsafe or maladaptive actions. The process occurs in the four structured phases of the learning-instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback-to guarantee consistent learning, generalization, and long-term change in the behavior being affected (Flowers, 2023).

Instead of relying on natural consequences to decrease problem behaviors, BST focuses on the specific skill deficits that often underlie such behaviors. People with several different kinds of mental health conditions and cognitive disorders, including but not limited to autism, intellectual disability, ADHD, and traumatic brain injury, often have problems in executive functioning, emotional regulation, and communication (Miles et al.,2009). Instead, BST directly targets these deficits by teaching step-by-step, observable skills that can be practiced and generalized across settings.

The result of this practice is the acquisition of skills, independence, and confidence while

reducing anxiety and frustration, which are common precursors to behavioral escalations. Since it is a structured, predictable process that is highly reinforced, it especially appeals to learners who require concrete, visual, and repetitive instructions. (Li et al., 2025).

Core Teaching Steps:

1. Instruction: Clearly explain what to do, when to do it, and why it matters.

2. Modeling: Demonstrate the behavior or skill in a way the learner can imitate.

3. Rehearsal: Provide multiple opportunities to practice through role-play or real-life

settings.

4. Feedback: Deliver specific, immediate praise and corrective guidance.

These steps are repeated until the individual performs the skill independently and consistently across environments (Li et al., 2025).

BST Useful Strategy to Teach Individuals with Disabilities:

Skills based training is especially effective for participants with developmental, cognitive, or

emotional challenges because it:

● It breaks complex skills into manageable steps that reduce cognitive overload.

● Uses repetition and reinforcement to solidify memory and retention.

● Provides immediate feedback, helping learners understand and correct their mistakes in

real time.

● Generalizes skills by practicing them across multiple settings, including home, school,

and work.

It builds self-efficacy, allowing the individual to experience success through positive

reinforcement.

Scenario: A 9-year-old student, “Aiden,” often shouts when frustrated during math work.

Goal: Teach Aiden to request help appropriately.

● Instruction: Staff explains: “When something feels hard, raise your hand and say, ‘I

need help, please.’”

● Modeling: Teacher demonstrates raising a hand and calmly using the phrase.

● Rehearsal: Aiden practices during role-play; the teacher provides prompts as needed.

● Feedback: Teacher praises, “Nice job asking for help calmly!” and reinforces the

positive outcome.

Over time, Aiden generalizes this skill to other settings. Research shows that structured

behavioral skills training significantly improves compliance and communication in children with behavioral challenges (Miles et al., 2009).

Scenario: “Maria,” a 28-year-old in a supported employment program, becomes verbally

aggressive when coworkers correct her work.

Goal: Teach Maria to use a “Pause–Breathe–Respond” coping strategy.

● Instruction: Coach teaches the steps: stop, take two deep breaths, and calmly ask, “Can

you show me how to fix it?”

● Modeling: Coach demonstrates a calm, respectful response.

● Rehearsal: Maria role-plays the situation; the coach provides guidance.

● Feedback: Coach praises her for staying calm and asking for help appropriately.

Staff later monitor her progress and provide booster sessions. Adults with cognitive or emotional regulation difficulties benefit from BST’s structure and real-world relevance, particularly when paired with self-monitoring tools (Rahaman, 2024).

BST for Staff or Caregiver Training:

Skill is also an effective tool for training caregivers and direct support staff. For example, when teaching staff to use a new reinforcement system, they receive:

● Instruction on the protocol,

● Modeling through a demonstration or video,

● Rehearsal with role-play scenarios, and

● Feedback on accuracy and tone.

This method has been shown to significantly improve staff implementation fidelity, ensuring

consistency across shifts and reducing behavioral incidents (SAGE Publications, 2025).

Summary:

Behavioral Skills Training, represents an effective, evidence-based teaching methodology for

adaptive, functional skills in both children and adults- particularly those with mental health or

cognitive challenges. By combining structured instruction with hands-on practice and immediate feedback, Behavioral Skills Training teaches people lasting skills in behavioral and emotional regulation. It not only reduces challenging behaviors but also fosters autonomy, confidence and promotes long-term success across environments. (Flowers, 2023; Miles et al., 2009; Rahaman, 2024).

References

Flowers, J. (2023). Behavioral Skills Training: Components and effectiveness in applied settings.

Stephen F. Austin State University.

Li, Y., et al. (2025). Social information processing training for children with behavior problems.

Frontiers in Psychology.

Miles, N. I., Wilder, D. A., & Ten Broeke, A. M. (2009). The effects of behavioral skills training

on caregiver implementation of compliance procedures. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,

42(2), 405–410.

Rahaman, S. (2024). Extending behavioral skills training to adult learners in applied contexts.

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 57(1), 101–120.

SAGE Publications. (2025). Parent mastery and behavior support through BST and self-

monitoring. Behavioral Disorders Journal.

Lindsay Jeanes, Behavior Specialist, Miren Behavior