What does the supervisor do in the first step of behavioral skills training?

In the first step of behavioral skills training, the supervisor describes the target skill. This initial step is crucial because it sets the foundation for the learning process. By clearly articulating what the skill entails, the supervisor ensures that the learner understands the task at hand and what is expected of them.

Describing the target skill involves providing detailed information, which may include the rationale behind the skill, its importance, and the specific components that comprise it. This explicit explanation helps to establish a clear mental model for the learner, facilitating better retention and understanding as they progress to subsequent steps such as demonstration, practice, and feedback.

The other options represent subsequent stages in the behavioral skills training process. For instance, demonstrating the skill occurs after the description, allowing the learner to visualize how the skill should be executed. Feedback is typically provided during or after practice to help refine performance. Monitoring the client is also an essential task, but it pertains more to the overall implementation of behavioral strategies rather than the specific training steps of a skill.