A Survey of Safety Skills Training Used by Behavior Analysts in Practice

Behav Anal Pract. 2023 Jul 13;17(1):270-282. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00835-8. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Abstract

This survey study examines the clinical practices and opinions of Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) certificants regarding safety skills training with their clients with neurodevelopmental disabilities. This article focuses on five safety threats: abduction, sexual abuse, poisonous substances, firearms, and fire-starting agents. Respondents were asked to rate the importance of teaching their clients safety skills for each of these safety threats. Furthermore, the survey included questions pertaining to the use of behavioral interventions, notably behavioral skills training. Results from this preliminary survey of BACB certificants (N = 695) are included and we provide a discussion of current practices and recommendations for future research related to safety skills training among practitioners in clinical settings.

Keywords: Behavioral skills training; Children; Prevention; Safety skills.