USING PYRAMIDAL STAFF TRAINING TO DECREASE SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE SEXUAL BEHAVIORS AMONGST INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Heather Hays, for the Master of Science degree in Behavior Analysis and Therapy, presented on June 30, 2016, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: USING PYRAMIDAL STAFF TRAINING TO DECREASE SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE SEXUAL BEHAVIORS AMONGST INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Mark Dixon This current study expands the research of pyramidal training to the subject area of sex education. It utilizes the Behavioral Skills Training (BST) teaching package (instruction, model, role play and feedback) while applying the pyramidal training approach to teach appropriate boundaries to individuals with DD. Although this is not a complete sex education package, it will begin the research in this this subject area. With state hospitals closing their doors and more individuals with an ID entering the community, appropriate boundaries is an essential skill for both, individuals with an ID and the others in the community. Pyramidal training of the sexual education curriculum was introduced to the three participants in a consecutive manner. This study suggests that pyramidal training is an effective way to decrease spikes in target behaviors for individuals with intellectual disabilities at a day training facility. Future research should be conducted to look at more detailed sex education packages and teaching the curriculum in different environments