Developing and Evaluating the Feasibility of a Behavioural Educational Programme for Transporting Students With Disabilities on School Buses

IF 1.8 4区医学 Q2 PEDIATRICS

Child Care Health and Development Pub Date : 2025-03-18 DOI:10.1111/cch.70064

Allison Blackburn, Meg Stone-Heaberlin, Leanne Tamm, Jennifer Smith, Nichole Nidey

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Abstract

Background

Prevalence rates of intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) continue to increase in the United States, and a high proportion of these students are estimated to ride buses daily to and from school. There is a need for transportation staff to (1) have a greater understanding of the challenges students with I/DD face during their daily bus journey and (2) learn how to provide behavioural support that is rooted in evidenced-based practices.

Aims

This work aimed to develop and evaluate a behavioural educational programme to address gaps in transportation staff knowledge and skills related to I/DD and examine feasibility of the programme through participant feedback.

Methods

Development of the programme was guided by caregiver focus groups, interviews with key stakeholders and field observations. Three training modules, a social narrative and a caregiver input form were developed. Training modules included topics related to the characteristics of I/DD, positive behavioural support, increasing communication with district staff and caregivers, the functions of behaviour and how to safely de-escalate behaviour. Implementation of the programme included training delivery to transportation staff (N = 886) at three school bus locations across the United States. Participants completed posttraining evaluations.

Results and Conclusions

The overwhelming majority of participants reported agreement with statements related to satisfaction with the three trainings, as well as perceived increases in their knowledge and confidence in supporting students with I/DD on the school bus. Acceptability and preliminary effectiveness are established for the programme. Participants' previous experience transporting students with disabilities was positively associated with acceptability and preliminary effectiveness. Caregiver and educator training programmes have demonstrated effectiveness in behavioural interventions for children with I/DD, but this study provides evidence of the feasibility of a behavioural education programme developed specifically for school bus transportation staff. This programme serves as a model for student transportation companies and school districts that are seeking strategies to better serve their students with I/DD in their bus-riding journeys.

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开发和评估校车接送残疾学生行为教育计划的可行性

在美国，智力和发育障碍（I/DD）的患病率持续上升，据估计，这些学生中有很大一部分每天乘坐公共汽车上下学。交通工作人员需要(1)更深入地了解I/DD学生在每天乘坐巴士时所面临的挑战；(2)学习如何提供基于证据的行为支持。本工作旨在制定和评价一项行为教育方案，以解决交通工作人员在与I/DD有关的知识和技能方面的差距，并通过参与者的反馈审查该方案的可行性。方法通过护理人员焦点小组、主要利益相关者访谈和实地观察指导方案的制定。开发了三个培训模块，一个社会叙述和一个照顾者输入表。培训单元包括与I/DD的特点、积极的行为支持、加强与地区工作人员和护理人员的沟通、行为的功能以及如何安全地减少行为有关的主题。该方案的实施包括在美国三个校车站点对交通工作人员（N = 886）进行培训。参与者完成了培训后评估。结果和结论：绝大多数参与者都对这三种培训表示满意，并认为他们在校车上支持I/DD学生的知识和信心有所增加。确定了该方案的可接受性和初步有效性。参与者先前运送残疾学生的经验与可接受性和初步有效性正相关。护理人员和教育工作者培训项目在I/DD儿童的行为干预方面已经证明了有效性，但这项研究提供了专门为校车运输人员开发的行为教育项目的可行性的证据。该项目为学生运输公司和学区提供了一个模式，这些公司和学区正在寻求更好地为有I/DD的学生在乘坐公共汽车的过程中提供服务的策略。

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来源期刊

Child Care Health and Development 医学-小儿科

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

5.30%

发文量

136

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Child: care, health and development is an international, peer-reviewed journal which publishes papers dealing with all aspects of the health and development of children and young people. We aim to attract quantitative and qualitative research papers relevant to people from all disciplines working in child health. We welcome studies which examine the effects of social and environmental factors on health and development as well as those dealing with clinical issues, the organization of services and health policy. We particularly encourage the submission of studies related to those who are disadvantaged by physical, developmental, emotional and social problems. The journal also aims to collate important research findings and to provide a forum for discussion of global child health issues.