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Behavioral Health

Behavioral health specialists are trained in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques, classroom management strategies, and strategies for positive behavior support. They also have training in data collection techniques that allow them to develop individual Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).

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Often, these professionals assist in the treatment of students who exhibit behavioral issues in areas, like:

Peer Integration

Social Integration

Academics

Gross-motor Skills

Language

Functional Living Skills

Behavior Management

Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavioral Specialist (LBS)

BCBAs and LBSs study student behaviors and create plans to improve or replace problematic ones. They have graduate-level certifications in behavior analysis and often work with students who have developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and social, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Along with that, they may work with students who have difficulty managing stress or anger in healthy ways.

During a student’s Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA), a BCBA or LBS will perform responsibilities, like:

  • Observing and assessing behavior
  • Meeting with families, teachers, and other therapists on the related services team to discuss treatment and progress
  • Assisting in the development of IEPs
  • Consistent monitoring of student progress

They can also provide training to teachers, aides, and support staff to ensure that they understand best practices when working with students who present challenging behaviors.

Benefits of Working Alongside the PTS Behavioral Health Team​
Steps to Becoming a BCaBA​

Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA)

BCaBAs have received an undergraduate-level certification in behavior analysis. They provide a wide range of provide behavior-analytic services, all while being supervised by a BCBA. They frequently perform tasks, like:

  • Instructing students in acquiring specific skills targeted in the Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP)
  • Observing and collecting accurate data about student behavior and progress
  • Nurturing student social skills through focused interactions
  • Updating the team on a regular basis
  • Training parents on how to reinforce treatment plans outside of school

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)

RBTs have received a paraprofessional certification in behavior analysis. They help provide a variety of behavior-analytic services and are closely supervised by an RBT Supervisor and/or an RBT Requirements Coordinator.

The Role of a Registered Behavior Technician​
Behavioral Health

How Behavioral Health Specialists Support Students and Schools

One of the main roles that behavioral health specialists play is in the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) process. FBAs help behavioral health specialists identify why certain behaviors occur and then design a plan to modify or replace that behavior with healthier behaviors by using the following steps:

  • Building a multidisciplinary action team
  • Identifying the target behavior
  • Collecting baseline data about the behavior
  • Formulating and testing a behavioral hypothesis
  • Developing and monitoring a Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP)

While collecting baseline data, the behavioral health specialist will look at the antecedent (trigger), behavior (the specific behavior), and the consequence (the result of the behavior) to determine why the student does this behavior and how to positively modify or change it.

They’ll also create observable and measurable goals for assessing student progress. Not only does this allow you to measure student progress, but it also helps you identify which students are ready to be discharged from the program altogether.

Support Your Students’ Behavioral Health Needs with Pediatric Therapeutic Services

If you want to include behavioral health services as a part of your school’s related services program, contact PTS and ask about our assessment, consultative, and programmatic behavioral health services today!