.:: Tertiary Prevention Pt. 1 ::.

Covering Tertiary Prevention-Part 1 is Sean Crose:


At its essence, Tertiary Prevention focuses on those students who show problem behavior.  These students may not have a traditional "diagnostic label" such as behavioral or learning disabilities, but nonetheless engage in actions which are inappropriate for the classroom.


Two distinct types of Tertiary Prevention systems appear to be the most effective.  The first system, known as the primary system, focuses on behavioral issues in a more narrow classroom setting.


Overall, what separates Tertiary Prevention from other behavioral prevention programs is the element of intervention.  In other words, Tertiary Prevention is completely reliant on a positive, hands on approach.


For Tertiary Prevention to be effective, the student, along with educators and family members, should all become part of a BST, or Behavioral Support Team.  Such teams are constructed around each individual student so that specific needs will be met and positive steps will be taken.  The point here is to lower the level of disruptive or harmful actions on the part of the student while leading the student to make strides in his/her scholastic and personal life.


In order for all of this to work, an FBA, or Functional Behavioral Assessment will be provided and a support plan created.  This support plan will include methods for creating improved behavior and the necessary directives for such improved behavior to be brought about.


The support plan will also have steps for "monitoring, evaluating, and reassessing" the student's actions.  This way, the effectiveness of the implemented plan may be properly gauged and fluidity achieved if specific alterations to the plan must be made.


The plan may include a change in the environment of the student in question so that unacceptable behavior will be prevented and positive behavioral changes can be more easily enacted.  On top of this, an emergency strategy may be put in place in case the student exhibits outburst which may prove dangerous to his or herself or to others.


One of the joys of Tertiary Prevention is that positive results are so easy to notice.  When Tertiary Prevention works, the results are obvious and visibly rewarding.