Behavior Intervention Specialists
- According to IDEA97 regulations, school districts are challenged to “get the conditions right” for all learners. To the maximum extent possible, students with disabilities should be integrated with their peers (PL94-142). Oftentimes, the behavior of a student may interfere with individual student progress as well as the progress of fellow students. Thus, it is important that the IEP team pays particular attention to managing disruptive behaviors of students in order to achieve maximum educational goals for all students.
- It is essential that if a student with a disability has problems with behavior that are disruptive to the general education classroom, school districts must insure that consideration has been given the full range of supplementary aids and services for interventions. Supports and services may include:
- Consultation
- Process in which teams of educators with diverse expertise work together to plan successful educational programs for children
- Team Teaching
- Two or more teachers, with different expertise, teach children together
- Curriculum adaptations
- Changes made within the general classroom curriculum, which assists each child to actively participate at their own level and meet individual goals.
- Environmental Accommodations
- Adaptation of the learning environment within the classroom so each child can participate with peers.
- Children are divided into small groups for learning activities in a non-competitive format.
- Peer Relationship Support
- Opportunities and support received from peer group.
- Related Service Consultation in General Classroom
- Integration of Related Services within the general education classroom in a functional format.
- Behavior Support Plans
- Plans to address particular behavioral needs developed by the IEP team with input from consultant for behavior.
- The Role of the Behavior Intervention Specialist
- Behavior Intervention Specialists assist children and adolescents from a behavioral perspective, complete functional behavior assessments and individual behavior plans. They work within the classroom to create and demonstrate effective intervention strategies for students with severe behavior problems, and provide cognitive restructuring for children and adolescents with behavior difficulties. Behavior specialists work in conjunction with the IBA (Intervention Based Assessment) Teams or with IEP (Individualized Education Program) Teams within buildings as well as IBA Consultant Psychologists assigned to the regions.
Their role often will focus on specific areas of a child’s need in order to be successful:
- Identify student’s target behaviors and complete a functional behavior assessment
- Assist in the development and implementation of individualized behavior plans that meet the behavior needs of students
- Collaborate frequently with parents and school staff regarding the academic, behavior and social/emotional strengths and weaknesses of the student
- Work in conjunction with regional supervisors, intervention based assessment teams and school psychologists
- Assist in completing referrals to outside agencies such as Positive Education Program Beech Brook, Education Alternatives, etc.
- Assist in developing and conducting behavior related in-services for teachers and staff
- The entire infusion of services for students experiencing behavioral needs benefits the child in learning to live among peers, planning for and implementing future educational goals, living within the community and planning to become a contributing and active member of society.
- Resources for Parents and Educators:
- Kimberly Allen
- Intervention Specialist
- 216.592.7749
- Jennifer Fazio
- Behavior Specialist
- 216.523.6329
Contact Us
- 1440 Lakeside Avenue
- Cleveland, OH 44114