Practical Takeaways for School-Based Behavior Analysts

Abstract This session distills school-based, PBIS-aligned practices into concrete moves BCBAs can use the next school day. The presenter frames collaboration through an inquiry—not evaluative—stance, sharing survey data on how teachers perceive BCBAs and why partnerships succeed or fail. Attendees learn how to set up work through pre-meetings, role/scope contracts, and clarity on IEP status, consent, and restraint/seclusion policies. The talk then maps PBIS tiers to clinical decision-making: what to look for at Tier 1 (routines, visual schedules, posted/ taught expectations, attention signals, opportunities to respond, behavior-specific praise and 5:1 ratios, classwide reinforcement, token economies done right), when and how Tier 2 adds targeted supports (check-in/check-out, behavior contracts, performance vs. skill deficits), and how Tier 3 integrates FBA/BIP with true team involvement rather than “superhero” fixes. Practical supervision angles include coaching scripts, feedback that preserves rapport, progress-monitoring and fidelity checks, and safety planning (don’t work alone, know the school’s response team). Throughout, the emphasis is on ethical compliance, feasible interventions, and building a positive classroom ecology before writing intensive plans.