PABA Project Multiplier Event: Sharing Knowledge on Early Childhood Behaviour Management

This month, we hosted a Multiplier Event in Dundalk, Ireland to disseminate the results and resources of the Preschool Applied Behaviour Analysis (PABA) project to a wide audience of teachers, headteachers, support staff and stakeholders in early childhood education.

The Goals of The Project

The PABA project addresses a critical need in European education: equipping preschool teachers with the skills to provide effective early interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder. The main goals were to:

• Raise awareness and improve understanding of autism

• Improve the quality of care provided to children with autism in schools

• Equip teachers with required skills for effective early interventions

• Reduce stress and burnout among teachers

  
  

Project Results

The multiplier event showcased the project's extensive suite of high-quality, evidence-based resources, all designed to support educators in managing challenging behaviours:

Teacher's Handbook

A practical, step-by-step guide covering behaviour management fundamentals. Teachers can use the handbook to learn about the principles and functions that govern the behaviours of young children with autism, particularly when it comes to challenging behaviours that are disruptive to a classroom environment. The handbook provides different strategies that can be used directly in the classroom to help teach children alternative behaviours, while reducing the incidence of challenging behaviours.

Trainer's Guide

A comprehensive guide for teachers to educate their peers on all the topics contained within the teacher's handbook. It contains structured lesson plans, detailed agendas and practical exercises to deliver engaging and effective training sessions.

Data Sheets

Practical tracking tools that support educators in monitoring behaviour patterns of their students, applying ABA strategies consistently, tracking progress over time, and making data-informed decisions tailored to each child's needs.

Branching Scenarios

An interactive game presenting a series of scenarios that help teachers understand the four functions of behaviour through consequence-based decision-making. Whether teachers choose correct or incorrect responses, they can follow their choices through and observe the effects on children's behaviour.

Impact

The multiplier event received excellent feedback, with participants indicating that:

• The project results were highly useful and relevant for the behaviour management of children with autism

• They would be very likely to use the materials in the work

• The materials could easily be used in their specific classroom environments

Attendees left the event with access to all PABA resources and clear pathways for implementation in their own settings. The project website serves as a central hub for downloading materials, accessing the online game, and finding out more information about the project.

All PABA resources are freely available on the project website. Educators and stakeholders interested in implementing these evidence-based approaches in their settings are encouraged to explore the materials or get in touch for more information.