Examples of Skill-Building in Positive Supports

Welcome to Module 3 of the Community-Based Positive Supports Training. This module will focus on how to help ourselves and others develop social and communication skills that can positively shape everyday routines and settings. An important goal is to understand ourselves better and build positive relationships with the people in our lives at home, at school, while working, and in the community. The skills we share in this module can help us learn more about other people and respond in ways that are meaningful and show that we are paying attention. Learning to listen closely to the children and adults we work with and to understand what others are trying to tell us helps us to create a positive climate that improves quality of life and prevents challenging behavior.

Module 3 - Learning Outcomes

• List skills that help improve interactions, and foster wellbeing
• Describe how building social skills can be used to support people across three tiers of intervention
• Explain how to use skill-building tools
• Describe key features of a supportive environment
• Discuss how trauma can impact behavior and understand historical trauma and healing
• Describe the importance of communication including ways to support children and adults using augmentative and alternative communication
• Outline important strategies for fostering wellness and promoting self regulation

The content in this section can be used across a three-tiered framework for positive behavior support. The skills in this section are introduced to everyone in a home, school, work, or community setting at tier 1. These strategies can be used to support a child or adult needing a little support for minor challenges at tier 2. Finally, skill-building activities are considered core elements that help us put an effective individual plan in place for someone at tier 3. You can learn more about the three-tiered model in Module 1.