How to Start Using BST in Parent Training (Even if You’re Short on Time)

You’re Not Alone if BST Feels Out of Reach

You already know that Behavioral Skills Training (BST) is the gold standard for parent training in early intervention. You’ve probably read the research, heard it in CEUs, and maybe even taught RBTs® using it. But when it comes to parent training sessions, BST often gets pushed to the back burner.

It’s not because you don’t care about quality parent coaching—you do. It’s because:

• Your schedule is crammed with writing behavior plans, managing insurance authorizations, and supervising staff.

• Parents cancel sessions, show up tired, or don’t practice between meetings.

• Preparing full BST scripts for every skill takes more time than you realistically have.

If you feel guilty about not using BST consistently, you can take a breath—you’re not alone. Many BCBAs® are in the same spot. The good news? You don’t have to redesign your entire parent training program to make BST work. A few simple shifts can help you start using BST right away, even if you’re short on time.

Key Takeaways

• BST is the most effective way to teach parents ABA strategies because it actively engages them through instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback—leading to better child outcomes.

• Time constraints are the biggest barrier for BCBAs®, but small tweaks (less lecturing, more hands-on practice) make BST doable even on a busy caseload.

• Practicing in natural routines (e.g., playtime, mealtime) helps parents generalize skills and makes training feel less overwhelming.

• Ready-to-use tools save time—checklists, video models, or structured curricula like the ACHIEVE Parent Training Curriculum reduce prep and let you focus on feedback and coaching.

• If parents aren’t following through, it’s usually overwhelm—not resistance. Build confidence with small wins, simplify goals, and use positive reinforcement to keep them engaged.

• Telehealth works for BST too—video models, live coaching, and parent-recorded practice clips keep the rehearsal and feedback loop intact.

• Cultural sensitivity boosts buy-in. Adapting examples, praise, and expectations to align with family values increases follow-through and mastery.

• Start small. Implement BST with one skill this week—a little consistency goes a long way for parents and kids.

If you want to dive deeper into BST, this video expands on the ideas in this post and includes strategies for both parent and staff training. It’s packed with practical tips you can use right away.

Why BST Should Be Your Go-To for Parent Training

BST isn’t just “best practice” because textbooks say so; it’s backed by decades of research showing real-world impact. At its core, BST uses four simple steps applied in sequence:

1. Instruction – Explain the skill clearly, using plain language or a written checklist.

2. Modeling – Show the parent what it looks like (live or via video).

3. Rehearsal – Have the parent practice, ideally with their child.

4. Feedback – Offer supportive praise and corrective guidance until they reach mastery.

When parents learn through this hands-on cycle, they don’t just understand ABA strategies—they do them, which leads to better child outcomes.

The Research Behind It

• Seiverling et al. (2012) used BST to train parents of autistic children with severe food selectivity. After training, parents implemented feeding protocols with high fidelity, and children accepted more new foods while disruptive mealtime behaviors decreased.

• Dogan et al. (2017) found that parents trained to coach their children in social skills improved not only in trained behaviors but also in untrained ones. Parents maintained high fidelity one month later, and children’s social interactions generalized to new settings.

• Mueller et al. (2003) showed parents could implement extinction and reinforcement procedures with high accuracy when taught via BST—proof that even complex ABA procedures can be mastered by caregivers.

These studies highlight what you already suspect: when parents master the strategies, kids make bigger gains—and BST is the best way to get them there.

Why BCBAs® Struggle to Use BST (and Why That’s Okay)

If BST is so effective, why isn’t every BCBA using it consistently? The reasons are valid—and common:

• Time constraints: Running full BST sequences for every parent goal can feel impossible in an already packed caseload.

• Parent resistance or overwhelm: If parents seem disengaged, some BCBAs skip rehearsal to “just get through the session.”

• Telehealth limitations: Video sessions can make live modeling or rehearsal feel awkward.

• Lack of ready-to-use tools: Writing scripts, checklists, or video models from scratch takes hours.

You’re not doing anything wrong by struggling with these barriers. But with a few tweaks, you can start making BST a routine part of parent training without burning out.

3 Simple Ways to Start Using BST—Even if You’re Busy

Here’s how to make BST doable, starting this week:

Step 1: Swap Lecture for “Show and Do”

Parents don’t need long explanations—they need hands-on practice. Instead of spending 10 minutes describing how to prompt communication, model the skill once, then coach them through it immediately.

Example:

• Old approach: “When your child wants a snack, wait three seconds, then prompt them to say ‘cracker.’ Reinforce immediately.”

• BST approach: “Watch me do this once. Now, let’s try it together—I’ll guide you, then give you feedback after.”

This tiny change cuts out unnecessary talk and gets parents to the rehearsal step faster, which is where real learning happens.

Step 2: Practice in Real-Life Routines

Research shows parents generalize better when practicing in their own daily routines (Mueller et al., 2003).

Instead of running contrived drills, embed BST in the moments that already happen at home:

• Practice prompting during snack time instead of structured table work.

• Coach reinforcement strategies during playtime instead of a separate session.

• Teach transitions during the actual bedtime routine rather than a mock setup.

This saves time and helps parents immediately see how the strategy fits into their life—making them more likely to use it later.

Step 3: Use Pre-Made Tools to Save Prep Time

One of the biggest reasons BCBAs® avoid BST is prep fatigue. You don’t have to create everything from scratch—use existing resources to streamline instruction and modeling.

Ready-to-use tools can include:

• Written checklists for parents to follow during practice.

• Video models to demonstrate correct technique (which parents can rewatch later).

• Structured curricula that guide you through the process.

💡 Many BCBAs® now pair BST with resources like the ACHIEVE Parent Training Curriculum because it includes scripts, coaching prompts, and homework sheets. Having these materials ready means you can spend sessions focusing on rehearsal and feedback, not on building materials from scratch.

Troubleshooting: When Parents Don’t Follow Through

Even with the best BST session, parents might not practice between visits. Research suggests 30–50% of families don’t show meaningful improvement with behavioral parent training, and 40–60% terminate early (Walz et al., 2019). Here are quick fixes:

• Build confidence with small wins: Start with an easy skill where success is almost guaranteed.

• Use natural reinforcement: Show graphs of their child’s progress—it’s motivating for parents to see results.

• Simplify goals: Focus on one pivotal skill instead of overwhelming them with five.

• Use brief ACT-informed discussions: Even a 2-minute conversation about why this goal matters to their family can increase motivation (Yi & Dixon, 2021).

Telehealth? BST Still Works

If you’re delivering parent training remotely, BST can still be effective. Studies show telehealth BST produces gains comparable to in-person coaching (Kossyvaki et al., 2022; Shingleton-Smith et al., 2024).

Quick teleBST tips:

• Share short video models before sessions so parents come prepared.

• Have parents practice live on camera—then pause to give feedback.

• Ask them to send short video clips of their practice during the week for review.

This keeps rehearsal and feedback in the loop, even if you’re not physically present.

Cultural Sensitivity Makes BST More Effective

Parents are more likely to follow through when training fits their family values. Jernigan (2023) demonstrated that customizing role-play scenarios to align with cultural norms increased mastery rates.

Practical ways to adapt:

• Ask about preferred ways of giving praise or correcting behavior.

• Respect family preferences (e.g., alternatives to eye contact).

• Use examples from their actual home routines, not generic scenarios.

Start Small: One Change This Week

You don’t need to launch a full BST program tomorrow. Instead:

1. Pick one skill to teach using the full BST cycle this week.

2. Use an existing resource (video model, checklist, or curriculum) to save time.

3. Practice in the natural routine where the skill matters most.

Within a few sessions, you’ll likely see parents becoming more confident—and kids making faster progress.

Want to Make BST Even Easier?

If you’re ready to integrate BST consistently but need a time-saving structure, consider using pre-designed curricula. The ACHIEVE Parent Training Curriculum was created specifically for BCBAs® who want to coach parents effectively without spending hours preparing materials. Pairing a curriculum with these simple BST strategies can make parent training feel doable, even on your busiest weeks.

References

Dogan, R. K., et al. (2017). Parent-implemented behavioral skills training of social skills. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 50(3), 805–818.

Jernigan, A. (2023). Incorporating cultural considerations while training parents to implement functional communication training (Master’s thesis, Western New England University).

Kossyvaki, L., et al. (2022). Telepractice parent-implemented training and coaching in a rural area in the UK: Impact on mothers and their children with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 98, 102044.

Mueller, M. M., et al. (2003). Parent training in behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36(2), 131–144.

Seiverling, L., et al. (2012). Effects of behavioral skills training on parental treatment of children’s food selectivity. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 45(1), 197–203.

Shingleton-Smith, C., et al. (2024). Telehealth general case parent training for children at risk for autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 57(4).

Walz, A., et al. (2019). Parental perspectives on successful parent education and behavioral intervention. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 65(5), 359–367.

Yi, Z., & Dixon, M. (2021). Developing and enhancing adherence to a telehealth ABA parent training curriculum for caregivers of children with autism. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 14(1), 58–74.