- Students will become familiar with the basic principals of Applied Behavior Analysis(ABA) and Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT) relevant to public school.
- Students will identify and explore classroom management structures and interventions on a three-tiered system to decrease problem behaviors.
- Students will learn to identify “problem behaviors” and when it is time to do a more in depth assessment. Explore the use of an FBA. Explore the observable Motivating Operations(MOs) at play. Discuss the principals of Cognitive Behavioral Theory and its role in the behaviors observed. Address special education law (FAPE) in regards to behavior interventions.
- Students will explore behavior interventions and design a plan to support struggling students, with or without a diagnosis.
Course Objectives:
- Conduct a mock FBA on a fictional student using case studies and observable media. For practicing educators they may use a current student for this assignment as long as all identifiable information is removed.
- Explore behavior interventions (research and experience based). Identify the behavior interventions that will not only motivate desired behaviors but will build in opportunities for self-awareness, coping skills and student advocacy.
- Demonstrate understanding of the role the Functional Behavior Assessment plays in creating the Behavior Intervention Plan.
- Explore verbal de-escalation techniques and how to respond in stressful situations with students and adults.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the emotional stages of a development for children and choose the appropriate response to challenging behavior.
Course Schedule:
Week 1: Introduction to Functional Behavior Assessments. Define Terms. Overview of Applied Behavior Analysis and Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
Readings: Assigned articles on ABA and CBT
Discussion Board topic 1.
Week 2: Forms Forms and more Forms. Explore a variety of formats to use to conduct an FBA. Explore exemplars. Use fictional case studies to practice applying knowledge from week one to make “I wonder statements”.
Readings: Reach Chapter 1 and 2 from How to Reach and Teach Children with Challenging Behaviors, Take corresponding quiz.
Discussion Board Topic 2
Week 3: Choosing a behavior to observe and collect data on. Explore data collection methods and practice with fictional characters.
Readings: Chapter 3 and 4 from How to Reach and Teach Children with Challenging Behaviors, Take corresponding quiz
Discussion Board topic 3
Week 4: Synthesizing information to create the FBA. Idetifying possible functions of behavior and choosing intervention strategies for them.
Readings: Articles and samples selected from suggested readings (provided to participants in Cavas).
Finished Functional Behavior Assessment to be turned in at the end of this week,
Week 5: What’s next? Taking the Functional Behavior Assessment and Creating a Behavior Intervention Plan. Suggested best practices for all functions of behavior will be provided.
Readings: The Heart of Learning and Teaching (select pages TBD), corresponding quiz.
Discussion Board topic 4
Week 6: Ongoing data collection, what is necessary and what do we do with it. Behavior Intervention Plans are working documents. When another Functional Behavior Assessment is necessary.
Readings: Chapter 5 from How to Reach and Teach Children with Challenging Behaviors, corresponding quiz
Behavior Intervention Plan will be due by this week.
Required Readings/Resources
Costs for required readings, if any, are not included in the course tuition.
Texts available for purchase on Amazon:
How to Reach and Teach Children with Challenging Behavior (K-8): Practical, Ready to-Use Interventions That Work by Kaye Otten. (2022) ISBN-13: 978-0470505168
Purchase on Amazon
The Heart of Learning and Teaching: Compassion Resiliency and Academic Success by Ray Wolpow PH.D. , Mona M. Johnson Ed.D. CDP, Ron Hertel B.S. , Sisan O. Kincaid PH.D.; Third printing May 2016 (available as a PDF). This will be provided to you by the instructor.
Positive Behavioral Supports and Interventions (2023)
https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/positive-behavioral-interventions-and-supports
Are We on Course Yet? Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Plan Technical Adequacy in Schools
(2024)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11200863/
Week 7-8 Finish up work from the course and work on the research paper
