The Behavior Code Companion

"The Behavior Code Companion" is an invaluable resource for parents, teachers, administrators, and related service providers, filled with tools that allow for effective and positive modification of challenging and interfering behaviors while preserving the child's dignity. Alexandre Cron, special education teacher, New York City" "The Behavior Code Companion" offers brilliant insight into mental health issues in the form of practical, research-based interventions teachers can actually implement. Vaughn C. Kauffman, former director of special education, Helena, Montana" Jessica Minahan translates complex knowledge about challenging behavior so that teachers and administrators have tools and strategies they can immediately implement. "The Behavior Code Companion" is a game changer that will help all schools that think they have run out of ideas. Michael Cordell, chief academic officer, KIPP DC" Minahan provides so many creative and reasonable ways to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles that she makes me want to go back to public school teaching! What a much better place schools would be if all school personnel and mental health professionals used this book! Jeannie Golden, psychologist, behavior analyst, and associate professor, East Carolina University"

Jessica Minahan is a board-certified behavior analyst and special educator who serves as the director of behavioral services at the Neuropsychology & Education Services for Children & Adolescents group practice in Newton, Masssachusetts, USA and as a consultant to clients nationwide. She is coauthor of The Behavior Code: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Teaching the Most Challenging Students.

CONTENTS Introduction 1 CHAPTER 1 Cracking the Code 7 Embracing a New Perspective on Behavior REFLECT: How Do You Think About Behavior? 10 REFLECT: Examining Your Assumptions 12 CASE STUDY: Julian, a Student with Anxiety 13 CASE STUDY: Malik, a Student with Anxiety 15 PRACTICE: Reframing Our Understanding of Behavior 17 CHAPTER 2 The FAIR Behavior Intervention Plan 19 Practicing the Fundamentals PRACTICE: Functional Communication 23 PRACTICE: Replacement Behavior 24 PRACTICE: Writing Target Behaviors 28 PRACTICE: Analyzing Stan's ABC Notes 31 PRACTICE: Analyzing Juanita's ABC Notes 33 PRACTICE: Analyzing Raul's ABC Notes 35 PRACTICE: Analyzing ABC Notes for Your Students 37 PRACTICE: Structured ABC Data Sheet 38 CHAPTER 3 Key Interventions for Successfully Supporting Students 41 REFLECT: Supporting Student Work Initiation 47 REFLECT: Transitions and Your Students 49 CASESTUDY: Xavier, a Fourth-Grade Student 53 CASESTUDY: Trevor, a First-Grade Student 54 PRACTICE: Making a Transition Support Plan 55 REFLECT: Evaluating Breaks in Your Classroom 59 PRACTICE: Brainstorming Breaks 62 PRACTICE: Evaluating Break Data 64 REFLECT: Finding Islands of Competence 68 PRACTICE: Planning Islands of Competence 71 PRACTICE: Brainstorming Barriers to Alternative Lunches 71 CHAPTER 4 "Get Away From Me!" 73 Strategies and Interventions for Students with Anxiety-Related Behaviors CASE STUDY: Analyzing Harrys Behavior Plan 78 CASESTUDY: Analyzing Chandras Behavior Plan 80 REFLECT: Analyzing Your Student's Behavior Plan 82 PRACTICE: Creating a Writing Checklist 87 PRACTICE: Creating a "How I Feel About Writing" Sheet 88 REFLECT: Prioritizing Skills and Strategies 91 PRACTICE: Creating a Visual Self-Regulation Sheet 99 REFLECT: Planning a Check-In 104 REFLECT: Creating Check-In and Check-Out Sheets 106 CASESTUDIES: Catching It Early with Sophia and Sam 109 CASE STUDY: Prioritizing Strategies for Omar 113 CASESTUDY: Prioritizing Strategies for Stacey 113 CHAPTER 6 Creating FAIR Behavior Intervention Plans 147 CASE STUDY: Aton, Grade 3 151 CASE STUDY: Devan, Grade 6 154 CASE STUDY: Angela, Grade K 157 CHAPTER 7 Tools for Monitoring Progress and Implementation 161 REFLECT: Creating Data Sheets for Your Student 165 PRACTICE: Making an Implementation Checklist 177 PRACTICE: Putting It All Together 178 APPENDIX A Individualized Education Program Goals and Objectives 183 APPENDIX B Protocols: Safety, Bolting, Threat, and Self-Harm 187 APPENDIX C Helpful Apps 207 APPENDIX D FAIR Behavior Intervention Plan Template 217 APPENDIX E Updated FAIR Behavior Intervention Plan for Students with Anxiety-Related Behavior 221 APPENDIX F Updated FAIR Behavior Intervention Plan for Students with Oppositional Behavior 227 APPENDIX G Answer Key 235 Notes 255 Acknowledgments 259 About the Author 261 Index 263