Positive behavior support (PBS) has been a dynamic and growing enterprise for more than 25 years. During this period, PBS has expanded applications across a wide range of populations and multiple levels of implementation. As a result, there have been understandable inconsistencies and confusion regarding the definition of PBS. In this essay, we offer an updated and unified definition. We provide a brief historical perspective and describe a process for developing a proposed definition. We also discuss the rationale for key elements of the definition.
BambaraL. (2005). Evolution of positive behavior support. In BambaraL.KernL. (Eds.), Individualized supports for students with problem behaviors: Designing positive behavior plans (pp. 1–24). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
4.
CarrE. G.DunlapG.HornerR. H.KoegelR. L.TurnbullA. P.SailorW.FoxL. (2002). Positive behavior support: Evolution of an applied science. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 4, 4–16.
5.
CarrE. G.DurandV. M. (1985). Reducing behavior problems through functional communication training. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 18, 111–126.
6.
DunlapG.CarrE. G.HornerR. H.ZarconeJ. R.SchwartzI. (2008). Positive behavior support and applied behavior analysis: A familial alliance. Behavior Modification, 32, 682–698.
7.
DunlapG.KincaidD. (2014, March). The definition of positive behavior support: Moving toward greater precision. Featured presentation at the 11th International Conference of the Association for Positive Behavior Support, Chicago, IL.
8.
DunlapG.KincaidD.HornerR. H.KnosterT.BradshawC. P. (2014). A comment on the term “positive behavior support.”Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 16, 133–136.
9.
DunlapG.SailorW.HornerR. H.SugaiG. (2009). Overview and history of positive behavior support. In SailorW.DunlapG.SugaiG.HornerR. (Eds.), Handbook of positive behavior support (pp. 3–16). New York, NY: Springer.
10.
GuessD.HelmstetterE.TurnbullR.KnowltonS. (1987). Use of aversive procedures with persons who are disabled: An historical review and critical analysis. Monograph of the Association for Persons With Severe Handicaps, 2(1). Seattle, WA: TASH.
11.
HornerR. H.DunlapG.KoegelR. L.CarrE. G.SailorW.AndersonJ.. . .O’NeillR. E. (1990). Toward a technology of “non-aversive” behavioral support. Journal of the Association for Persons With Severe Handicaps, 15, 125–132.
12.
IwataB.DorseyM.SliferK.BaumanK.RichmanG. (1994). Toward a functional analysis of self-injury. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27, 197–209. (Reprinted from Analysis and Intervention in Developmental Disabilities, 2, 3–20, 1982)
13.
KincaidD.DunlapD. (2015, March). The definition of positive behavior support: Moving toward greater precision. Paper presented at the 12th International Conference of the Association for Positive Behavior Support, Boston, MA.
14.
LaVignaG. W.DonnellanA. M. (1986). Alternatives to punishment: Solving behavior problems with non-aversive strategies. New York, NY: Irvington.
15.
LucyshynJ. M.DunlapG.FreemanR. (2015). A historical perspective on the evolution of positive behavior support as a science-based discipline. In BrownF.AndersonJ.DePryR. (Eds.), Individual positive behavior supports: A standards-based guide to practices in school and community-based settings (pp. 3–25). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
16.
MeyerL. H.EvansL. M. (1989). Nonaversive intervention for behavior problems: A manual for home and community. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
17.
ReppA. C.SinghN. N. (Eds.). (1990). Current perspectives in the use of non-aversive and aversive interventions with developmentally disabled persons. Sycamore, IL: Sycamore Press.
18.
SailorW.DoolittleJ.BradleyR.DanielsonL. (2009). Response to intervention and positive behavior support. In SailorW.DunlapG.SugaiG.HornerR. (Eds.), Handbook of positive behavior support (pp. 729–753). New York, NY: Springer.
19.
SugaiG.HornerR. H.DunlapG.HienemanM.LewisT. J.NelsonC. M.. . .WilcoxB. (2000). Applying positive behavioral support and functional behavioral assessment in schools. Journal of Positive Behavioral Interventions, 2, 131–143.
