Related topics: Universal Protocols
Our Guides are designed to get you started with the many resources we have to offer! Have more specific questions? You can always make a post in our FaceBook Community!
What is a “Universal Protocol”?
So what is a Universal Protocol? Clients may spend a portion of their days in intensive SBT treatment sessions, but what should the team be doing the rest of the day? This is where the UniPro comes in! This is a guide to treatment that includes reinforcement/environmental enrichment, details on how to respond to requests, and how to respond to R1/R2 behavior.
Out of session time was originally labeled as “Business as Usual,” but Universal Protocol provides more specific and comprehensive information about WHAT to do during that time.
Thank you to Kelly Kennedy Bryson!
The Daily BA Universal Protocols in ABA w/ Kelsey Ruppel
The Behavior Observations Podcast: Preventing Problem Behaviors with Universal Protocols
Show me what a “Universal Protocol” looks like!
FTF & Upstate Cerebral Palsy Example Template
Tropical Behavior Services Template
I want to learn more about UniPro!
PFA & SBT Community CEUs
FTF Training: “The Universal Protocol: Increasing Safety, Dignity, and Joy Across the Day”
Abstract from the FTF website:
The Practical Functional Assessment and Skill-Based Treatment processes have been demonstrated to reduce or eliminate severe problem behavior and increase important life skills for clients with a variety of strengths and needs. However, building these skills takes time and expertise, and stakeholders often wonder what they should do while a client is awaiting these processes as well as what to do outside of treatment session time for clients just beginning the process.
Many organizations also appreciate the values inherent in the Skill-Based Treatment process and are interested in establishing those values as the foundation from which all their services are provided, whether a particular client engages in problem behavior or not.
The Universal Protocol offers an organization-wide, across-the-day solution. It forms the foundation from which services are provided to all individuals in a service setting, and it is designed collaboratively with staff members from the organization, to meet the organization’s unique needs. However, it always emphasizes safety and dignity for clients and staff, and it is designed to improve client-staff trust and rapport. The Universal Protocol is also designed with the assumption that all people receiving specialized services have experienced multiple adverse events and/or repeated stressful situations, which must be considered if staff are to develop trusting and productive relationships with them. An important aim of a Universal Protocol is to eliminate staff and client injury and to minimize the need for any physical management tactics.
“The Universal Protocol: Increasing Safety, Dignity, and Joy Across the Day” (FTF Blog Post)
How do I learn more about UniPro frequently asked questions?
What’s the right “dosage” of Universal Protocols and Skill Based Treatment?
Anyone else experiencing behavior contrast since implementing Universal Protocol and SBT?
What do we do when we’re not running SBT?
What do you do with Universal Protocol in a school?
Do you use UniPro with clients with higher language skills too?
Got any additional resources?
You’ve made it to the end of this guide, but this is only the beginning! These tools and resources are a great starting point, but you can also utilize our other guides, resources, mentors, and partners to help you along your PFA & SBT journey. Didn’t see your question answered? Want to connect with others? Come join us on our FaceBook community by clicking here. (And don’t forget to answer the membership questions when you join! 😉)