Date of Award

12-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Behavioral Analysis

First Advisor

Mark T. Harvey

Second Advisor

Andressa Sleiman

Third Advisor

Maria J. Lavooy

Fourth Advisor

Lisa A. Steelman

Abstract

In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), self-management is defined as an individual's behavior change strategies and tactics implemented to achieve a desired behavioral outcome. Both clinicians and researchers aim to develop and implement efficient self- management strategies that enhance staff performance, ultimately driving positive outcomes for the clients they serve. At this time, the research regarding the use of self- management strategies to increase staff fluency is limited. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of using self-management strategies to increase fluency in administering a verbal operant card set. Six staff members from an ABA clinic in Central Florida were recruited for this study. Of the six participants, five met mastery criteria and maintained performance above mastery levels during maintenance probes. Furthermore, four participants showed an immediate improvement in accurately administering verbal operant cards after the self-management treatment package was introduced. Analysis of the data indicated that self-monitoring, goal setting, and self-administered consequences effectively increased the number of cards administered accurately in one-minute timed trials, thereby increasing the fluency of staff in the ABA clinic. Implications for the use of self- management strategies in organizational settings and suggestions for future research are discussed.

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