What role do behavior intervention plans play in ABA therapy, and does every child need one?
If your child with autism attends school, you may have discussed creating a behavior plan with their teacher or teaching staff. However, what role do behavior intervention plan play in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, and does every child need one? Read on to learn more about behavior intervention plans for your child’s autism treatment and what you can expect from their teachers and ABA therapy team.
What Is a Behavior Intervention Plan?
A behavior intervention plan (BIP) is an individualized plan designed to address a person’s specific behavioral problems. It is designed to help students learn appropriate communication and social skills in school, with parents, and beyond. The plan is overseen by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who creates the treatment plan and then works with the student, their parents, and their teachers on how to best implement it. The BIP will identify the function of the behavior, replacement behaviors, and strategies for teaching the replacement behaviors.
It is important to note that a BIP is not a punishment. A BIP teaches students more appropriate ways to meet their needs by rewarding the desired behavior, also known as positive reinforcement.
BIPs are Specific to Each Child’s Needs
BIPs are customized to every child with autism using a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA). BCBAs create an FBA after closely observing the student and interviewing teachers, parents, and the child themselves. An FBA is essential for developing an effective behavioral intervention plan.
What Goes into a Behavior Intervention Plan?
A behavior intervention plan includes specific, realistic goals for your child. The goals should be appropriate, achievable, and measurable. Next are intervention strategies, which include how you will work to change your child’s problem behavior. The most common way to do this is by recognizing, teaching, and reinforcing the desired behavior through positive reinforcement.
Also, monitoring progress to ensure it is working is important. The plan will outline how often you will check in on your child’s progress and when to make necessary adjustments.
It is important to remember that a BIP takes time, effort, and consistency to see results. However, if you stick to the plan, you will eventually see a desired behavior change.
Benefits of BIPs
You can take active steps to improve your child’s behavior by implementing a behavior intervention plan. This will provide benefits in many areas of their life, such as:
- Improved social skills: Your child will learn how to interact with others in the home, school, and elsewhere, leading to improved relationships and fewer social problems.
- Increased independence: After completing a behavior intervention plan, your child will have the skills necessary to be more independent, including acknowledging negative behaviors and working to stop them, leading to increased self-control and emotional regulation.
- Improved communication skills: Your child will learn to appropriately communicate their needs, such as asking for help when needed and expressing emotions.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (301) 577-4333. Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.