Troubleshooting Behavioral Interventions: A Systematic Process for Finding and Eliminating Problems

This article describes a systematic process for finding and resolving problems with classroom-based behavioral interventions in schools. Described is a step by step process for identifying and resolving issues that reduce intervention effectiveness. The article is organized around the Behavioral Intervention Troubleshooter, which is a checklist focusing on four major domains: (1) problem definition and monitoring, (2) fundamentals of classroom instruction and behavior management; (3) intervention integrity; and (4) intervention design. For each of these four sections, probable outcomes derived from use of the checklist are described. For eachoutcome, suggestions are provided for elimination or resolution of the problem to increase intervention effectiveness. Finally, each section begins with a brief literature review describing the evidence base for the recommended practices.