Terminology

ABA is the evidence-based treatment of choice to help autistic children acquire skills and diminish behaviors that are harmful to them, such as self-injury. It is also the case that the same approach used in ABA applies to students who are not on the autism spectrum. 

This is a graduate-level position in which an individual is certified in applied behavior analysis. This certification is received through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). BCBAs are the supervisors of RBTs in the field and write programs for individuals receiving behavior therapy or intervention.

A BIP is a written plan to help a student who is struggling to behave in class. It’s designed to stop problem behaviors by carefully rewarding the good behaviors. The plan provides teachers and other school staff with a clear set of behavioral goals, along with evidence-based strategies to help the child achieve those goals. 

This is the initial step for identifying a disability and determining the appropriate educational needs of an identified student. The data gathered leads to the first meeting and sets the agenda for recommendations. 

This is an assessment used to figure out what’s behind behavior challenges. The basic idea is that behavior serves a purpose. Whether kids know it or not, they act in certain ways for a reason. If schools and families know what’s causing a behavior, they can find ways to change it.  

This is a plan or program developed to ensure that a child with an identified disability who is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services. 

This is a plan designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities to provide them with equal access and opportunity in education. 

A registered behavior technician is a type of paraprofessional who works under the supervision of a certified behavior analyst or as part of a clinical team. Technicians perform many of the practical and applied techniques necessary to help clients achieve their behavior modification goals as supervised closely by their BCBA or BCaBA. RBTs are the ones who work primarily in the 1:1 capacity with the individual being served. 

Visual schedules are posters with pictures and labels that can be set up daily so that the individual using it will see in picture format what is expected and in what order. Visual schedules are a great resource for many of our clients by setting expectations and removing questions of what comes next. Visual schedules are customized to individual needs and can be used in many different ways.