Using acceptance and commitment training to enhance the effectiveness of behavioral skills training

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of acceptance and commitment training (ACT) to enhance the effectiveness of behavioral skills training (BST) used within a train-the-trainer model, in the context of an autism clinic. The study utilized an ABC design embedded within a multiple baseline across staff trainer participants, who were working in applied behavior analysis staff trainer jobs. Each participant received an initial BST training on how to use BST to train junior-level staff, for whom they were responsible for training. ACT training was then added in order to evaluate whether it would enhance the effectiveness of BST. The addition of ACT was found to be effective in enhancing the performance of staff trainers, the results generalized across staff and clients who were not present during ACT training, and maintained after ACT training was terminated.