What is it about?
To deal effectively with students who exhibit challenging behaviors, it is important to approach such problems from a research-validated theoretical perspective. Understanding Behavior: An Interactive Tutorial provides a basic introduction to the behavioral model. By understanding and applying the behavioral model, you will increase the likelihood of intervening successfully with problem behaviors.

Who should use the tutorial?
Understanding Behavior: An Interactive Tutorial is appropriate for a wide variety of personnel who work with students who exhibit challenging behaviors, including:

What will I learn?
Upon completion of this tutorial, you will be able to:

How long will it take to complete the tutorial?
Understanding Behavior: An Interactive Tutorial consists of four sections that are further divided into a total of 11 lessons. While the time it takes to complete the tutorial will vary depending on your circumstances, you should be able to complete any one lesson in about 10 to 20 minutes.

Will the tutorial run on my computer?
In order to present highly interactive and interesting content, Understanding Behavior: An Interactive Tutorial takes advantage of cutting edge web-based technology from Macromedia Inc. called Shockwave and Flash. If you do not have Shockwave and Flash installed on your computer, you will be automatically prompted to do so when you start the tutorial. To use the tutorial, you will need:

• A Macintosh Power PC or greater or an IBM or IBM-compatible PC Pentium processor or greater
• Windows '95 or '98/NT4 with Service Pack 3
• Netscape 4 or higher, or Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher
• At least 16 Megabytes of RAM, preferably more
• 60 Megabytes of free hard disk space
• 28800 baud modem (28.8 baud modem or higher recommended)
• A sound card

Where can I get help if I have problems running the tutorial?
If you have technical problems using the tutorial, make sure you are using a computer that is configured as describe above (link to "Will the tutorial run on my computer?). If you can¹t solve the problem by following the directions above, you can receive additional technical assistance by contacting: Carl J. Liaupsin.

Who are the authors?
Dr. Terrance M. Scott, Ph.D.
Dr. Scott received his Ph.D. in Special Education (with an emphasis on emotional and behavior disorders in 1994. He began his special education career as a counselor in a residential treatment center adjudicated adolescent boys.  He received his master’s degree in special education and has taught in self-contained EBD rooms and directed public school programs for EBD children. Currently, Dr. Scott is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Oregon. He has over 50 published articles, book chapters, and training media on a variety of issues in the areas of behavioral disorders and behavioral support systems and has conducted more than 300 presentations and training activities throughout the U.S. and Canada. He enjoys long walks on the beach, playing the bongos, and is head of the Oregon Chapter of the Britney Spears fan club. He also is a partner in the federally funded National Center for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support and has successfully competed for more than $3.5 million in research grant funding. In 2004, Dr. Scott received the Distinguished Early Career Award from the Research Division of the International Council for Exceptional Children and he currently is the Editor of the professional journal Beyond Behavior.

Carl J. Liaupsin, Ed.D.
Dr. Liaupsin is currently the Director of the Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Program at the University of Arizona. He began his career in education as a teacher of students with emotional and behavioral disorders and also spent six years as the full-time behavioral and assistive technology consultant for a mid-western school district. While obtaining his terminal degree, Dr. Liaupsin worked as a research associate for the National Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and the National Center on Education, Disability, and Juvenile Justice. Dr. Liaupsin is the author or co-author of numerous journal articles, chapters in “field related” texts, and media-based professional development products. His most recent textbook, “Functional Behavioral Assessment and Function-based Interventions: An Effective, Practical Approach”, is a step-by-step guide to the development of behavior intervention plans. Dr. Liaupsin’s research interests include the validation of function-based behavior intervention procedures and development and evaluation of effective intervention training for school personnel.

Dr. C. Michael Nelson, Ed.D.
Dr. Nelson received an Ed.D. in Special Education with an emphasis in emotional and behavioral disorders from the University of Kansas. He is an emeritus professor in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Kentucky and currently is Researcher in Residence for the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Louisville. He has conducted research and written extensively in the field of emotional and behavioral disabilities, and continues to promote better educational services for children and youth who exhibit emotional and behavioral challenges, and improved support for the educators who serve them.

Additional partners and resources
Understanding Behavior: An Interactive Tutorial was developed as part of a series of training materials to support the efforts of the Center on Positive Behavioral Support and Interventions which is funded by a grant from the Office of Special Education Programs with additional funding from the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program.