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Library · Domain 3. Treatment Planning & Continuity of Care · 3A. Treatment Planning

Task 3A.11

Developing behavioral management plans

“Develop behavioral management plans” (NBCC, 2027 task 3A.11)

Behavioral management plans set out how to increase desired behaviors and reduce problem behaviors, often across settings such as home, school, work or residential programs. They rely on learning principles and on consistency among the adults involved. The exam tests behavioral principles and how to apply them ethically.

Key points

  • Begin with a functional assessment: identify the antecedents, the behavior and its consequences (the ABC model) and the purpose the behavior serves, such as attention, escape, access to a tangible item or sensory input.
  • Positive reinforcement adds something desirable to increase a behavior; negative reinforcement removes something aversive to increase a behavior; punishment decreases a behavior; extinction withholds the reinforcer that maintained a behavior.
  • Expect an extinction burst, a temporary increase in the behavior when reinforcement first stops.
  • Teach replacement behaviors that serve the same function as the problem behavior.
  • Define target behaviors in observable terms and collect data to measure change.
  • Consistency across settings and caregivers is critical; train parents, teachers or staff and coordinate with consent.
  • Prefer positive approaches; avoid punitive or restrictive methods that may harm, and follow law and policy on restraint and seclusion.

In practice

A 6-year-old has tantrums at bedtime that end when his parents let him stay up. The counselor helps the parents set a consistent routine, ignore protests, and praise and offer a sticker for each calm bedtime. She warns them the tantrums may get worse briefly before improving.

With consent, a counselor works with a teacher on a plan for a student who leaves class when given writing tasks. Analysis suggests escape is the function, so the plan teaches the student to ask for a short break card and breaks tasks into smaller parts.

Check yourself

What is the difference between negative reinforcement and punishment?

Negative reinforcement removes something aversive to increase a behavior, while punishment decreases a behavior.

What is an extinction burst?

A temporary increase in a behavior when the reinforcement that maintained it is first withheld.

Why identify the function of a problem behavior?

So the plan can teach a replacement behavior that meets the same need and remove the reinforcer that maintains it.

NBCC's knowledge and skills for 3A. Treatment Planning

Knowledge of: SMART goals; Biopsychosocial model; Short- vs. long-term goals; Goals vs. objectives; Counseling theories and interventions; DSM/ICD; Behavioral strategies across settings.

Skill in: Aligning appropriate intervention with client need/identity; Developing initial treatment plan; Reviewing and revising treatment plan; Case conceptualization; Goal-setting; Differential diagnosis.

A study guide written by ExamDragon from NBCC's published task; not NBCC material and not part of the exam.