Using Evidence Informed Strategies to Adapt Tier 2 Interventions

Abstract

Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports (PBIS) is a preventative and responsive three-tiered framework comprised of a continuum of evidence-based practices and interventions. Adaptation, or tailoring is a critical component to the PBIS system, as it is not intended to be a standard treatment protocol, particularly at the Tier 2 level. Tier 2 interventions require fidelity to core ingredients that make the intervention effective but issues still arise concerning the targeted intervention’s implementation, student response, intensity need, and social validity that inform the tailoring of interventions at Tier 2. Currently, there is no clear protocol for adapting Tier 2 intervention. The purpose of this paper is guide implementers with the adaptation process by providing descriptions and examples of possible intervention adaptations based on (1) student characteristics, (2) intervention characteristics, and (3) setting characteristics.