Behavior goes where the reinforcement flows"
- Camille Morgan, A Day in the Life of a School Based BCBA.
What is a BCBA ?
BCBA is a common term that you here in the school setting when working with students with behavior concerns. BCBA stands for Board Certified Behavior Analyst. BCBAs are trained with Applied Behavior Analysis techniques to assist not only students through tough behaviors but providing teachers with strategies to work with students in the classroom. While BCBAs are trained to work with students with behavior concerns, working through these behaviors does not just fall on the BCBAs but on the educators working with these students as well. Educators should be working closely with BCBAs on how to address student behavior.
BCBAs are there to help when you are stumped on how to further support a student with moderate to extreme problem behaviors when your school and classroom management strategies are not working.
While BCBAs are often seen supporting our students with the biggest problem or egregious behaviors, they can provide educators with supports for students with mild behavior concerns or even advice regarding classroom behavior management.
BCBAs are there to help when you are stumped on how to further support a student with moderate to extreme problem behaviors when your school and classroom management strategies are not working.
While BCBAs are often seen supporting our students with the biggest problem or egregious behaviors, they can provide educators with supports for students with mild behavior concerns or even advice regarding classroom behavior management.
What are FBAs, BIPs, and BSPs?
These are another 2 acronyms that you may hear if you work with students who have behavior concerns at school.
FBA - Functional Behavior AssessmentThis is a formal assessment that is conducted after parent consent has been granted through a signed assessment plan with prior written notice explaining the need for the assessment. A BCBA will conduct this assessment using surveys , several observations of the student, and data from the classroom teacher regarding the targeted behavior concerns. This information is used to determine what the function of a behavior is (ex: attention, escape, sensory), the consequences of the behaviors, and the frequency/amount of time that the student is engaging in the behavior. While this is completed by the BCBA, the teacher plays an essential role in the process to ensure they have all the information they need to ensure the report is accurate. |
BIP - Behavior Intervention PlanThis is created after an FBA is completed and aims to detail the antecedents, the function, and the consequences of the student's behavior. The BIP's primary function is to put a plan in place for strategies that should be used to prevent or support the student during these behaviors. BIPs should be updated no less than 1 time a year (typically at a child's annual IEP review) based on the students current needs. The portions of the BIP include: FBA data, target behaviors, replacement behaviors, strategies and techniques, reinforcement plan, data collection plan, and goals for the student to work toward. BIPs are going to look different based on what the district requires. For example my school district uses SEIS as its IEP software and there is a section for BIPs to be completed in the system. |
BSP - Behavior Support Plan
A child can have a Behavior Support Plan in place even if they do not have an IEP. A formal assessment, or FBA, are not used in the creation of a BSP. A BSP is often recommended and created with a Site Intervention Team (SIT) and should be created in collaboration with a BCBA. A BSP will contain strategies for the student including what to do before the behavior happens (how to prevent a behavior outburst), what to do when the behavior is occurring, and what to do after the behavior has finished. This plan only includes strategies for the teacher to utilize and does not utilize any environmental changes.
Cited resources on this page
Input from current school based BCBAs.
https://childmind.org/article/what-is-a-behavior-intervention-plan/
https://k12engagement.unl.edu/strategy-briefs/Individual%20Behavior%20Plans%20%26%20FBA%202-6-15.pdf
https://readysetaba.com/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-school-based-bcba/
https://www.supportivecareaba.com/aba-therapy/behavior-intervention-plan
https://childmind.org/article/what-is-a-behavior-intervention-plan/
https://k12engagement.unl.edu/strategy-briefs/Individual%20Behavior%20Plans%20%26%20FBA%202-6-15.pdf
https://readysetaba.com/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-school-based-bcba/
https://www.supportivecareaba.com/aba-therapy/behavior-intervention-plan