DSP - Direct Support Professional Positive Behavioral Supports Questions and Answers

Question 1

The primary goal of Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS) is to:

Accepted Answer

Improve an individual's quality of life and reduce challenging behaviors by teaching new skills and modifying environments.

Answer

React to challenging behaviors with a predetermined set of consequences.

Answer

Eliminate all challenging behaviors through the use of restrictive interventions.

Answer

Focus solely on the challenging behavior without considering its underlying cause.

Question 2

A DSP is supporting Marcus, who often yells and throws items when asked to switch from watching TV to starting his evening meal prep. In a Positive Behavioral Support framework, what is the DSP's FIRST step?

Accepted Answer

Observing and recording what happens before, during, and after the behavior to understand its purpose.

Answer

Implementing a new, stricter consequence for throwing items.

Answer

Telling Marcus he will lose TV privileges for the rest of the week.

Answer

Immediately removing the television from the common area.

Question 3

Which of the following is the BEST example of an antecedent strategy a DSP could use to prevent a challenging behavior?

Accepted Answer

Providing a visual schedule and giving a five-minute warning before a transition.

Answer

Placing an individual in time-out after they become upset.

Answer

Offering praise after an individual successfully completes a task.

Answer

Ignoring the behavior and hoping it will stop on its own.

Question 4

An individual has a history of becoming agitated in crowded, noisy environments. A DSP teaches them to recognize their stress cues and to hand over a 'break' card when they need to leave. This new skill is an example of a:

Accepted Answer

Replacement behavior

Answer

Punishment procedure

Answer

Reactive strategy

Answer

Restrictive intervention

Question 5

When implementing a Behavior Support Plan (BSP), a DSP's role in data collection is critical because it:

Accepted Answer

Helps the support team objectively evaluate if the plan is working and make necessary adjustments.

Answer

Fulfills a paperwork requirement without impacting the plan.

Answer

Provides subjective opinions about how the person is feeling.

Answer

Is only necessary when the challenging behavior occurs.

Question 6

All of the following are key components of a comprehensive Positive Behavior Support plan EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A primary focus on consequence-based strategies and punishment.

Answer

Proactive strategies to modify the environment and prevent triggers.

Answer

Teaching replacement skills that serve the same function as the behavior.

Answer

Strategies for how staff should respond when the behavior occurs.