Positive Behavior Support Special Interest Group – 2025 SIG Update

By Jodie Soracco

The Positive Behavior Support Special Interest Group (PBS-SIG) promotes research-based strategies that combine applied behavior analysis and biomedical science with person-centered values and systems change to increase quality of life and decrease problem behaviors. The PBS SIG’s main objective is to create awareness of how behavior analytic principles are applied in PBS activities; promote PBS interventions in schools, communities, agencies, and homes; and support practitioners in its use. The PBS SIG members are those engaged in experimental and applied analyses of behavior who are interested in positive behavior support. The SIG was established in 2005 and has experienced four presidents since its inception.

The Behavior Analysts for Positive Behavior Support Facebook group has 2.5K members, a 92% increase from 2021. The PBS-SIG values include person-centered planning, socially significant outcomes, networking/partnership, dissemination, and broad applications of PBS. This past year, the focus was on developing a new leadership team and developing a survey to provide membership feedback on the future of the SIG.

For 2025, the new leadership will evaluate SIG needs and continue to implement short- and long-term goals focusing on the following areas:

Disseminate survey focusing on analyzing data to evolve the future of the SIG so that it is aligned with current membership needs.
Increase SIG Leadership Team presence on the Behavior Analysts for Positive Behavior Support Facebook page.
Increase participation through networking and partnership opportunities.

Anyone interested in behavior analysis and positive behavior support is welcome to join the SIG. Currently, the membership is free. To become involved, email Jodie Soracco at soraccoja@vcu.edu.