Teaching Practitioners to Conduct Behavioral Skills Training: A Pyramidal Approach for Training Multiple Human Service Staff

A job responsibility of many behavior analysts that can involve significant amounts of time is training human service staff in behavior-change and related procedures. We evaluated a pyramidal approach using behavioral skills training (BST) for a trainer to train multiple staff. The BST skills of 10 practitioners in a human service setting were assessed as they trained a staff person in simulation before and after being trained (with BST) to conduct BST. Results indicated all participants improved their use of BST during the assessments following training and demonstrated proficient application of BST while training a staff person in the regular work setting. Acceptability measures suggested the training process was well received by the participants. Results are discussed regarding practical considerations with BST-based pyramidal training, including the conditions in which this training approach may be most advantageous.