Utilizing the TIP to Train Behavioral Artistry | BCBA CEU | Learning | 1 Hour 

This presentation describes two experimental studies evaluating the use of the Teaching Interaction Procedure (TIP) to train “behavioral artistry” in behavior technicians and special education teachers. Behavioral artistry, originally described by Fox (1985), refers to interpersonal and therapeutic traits such as optimism, persistence, flexibility, and the ability to respond compassionately and effectively to client behavior. The presenter reviews prior descriptive work, including Callahan et al. (2019), and notes that before these studies there had been no published experimental applications or systematic training of these skills with maintenance and generalization data.

In Study 1, three behavior technicians were trained using TIP to demonstrate behavioral artistry during discrete trial teaching. Behavioral artistry was operationally defined as simultaneously providing attention, using a pleasant tone of voice, and engaging in a lighthearted exchange. A non-concurrent multiple baseline design was used. All participants improved following intervention, demonstrated maintenance, and generalized skills to untrained clients.

In Study 2, six special education teachers across two school sites were trained using TIP to demonstrate adapted behavioral artistry during whole-group instruction. Mastery was defined as 80% across three sessions. All teachers showed increases from low baseline levels, demonstrated maintenance, and received strong social validity ratings from both participants and caregivers. The results support TIP as an effective and efficient method for training soft skills associated with compassionate and socially valid practice.