SEDOL
Behavior Specialist Team
Carolyn Hoffer
MEd, BCBA, MSW
Behavior Specialist
847-986-2444
What is the Behavior Specialist Team (BST)?
The Behavior Specialist Team (BST) has specialized training in behavior modification. This team includes Board Certified Behavior Analysts as well as a Behavior Specialist Assistant. The BST is designed to support educational teams in responding to challenging behaviors in the classroom. They can assist the educational team by problem solving and modeling/implementing ways to decrease problem behaviors throughout the student’s day. We can provide recommendations to the staff, and parents as needed. Any teacher who has a student displaying challenging behavior at home or at school that is interfering with their learning can complete the referral form.
How Do Teams Initiate a BST Request?
Educational team considers requesting the Behavior Specialist to support them when a student is exhibiting a maladaptive behavior that has become unmanageable, impacting their learning, is new, or that has become a danger to themselves or someone else.
Prior to request, the Educational Team contact person must obtain consent from the student’s program supervisor/principal.
Educational Team contact person obtains the request form from the SEDOL website, staff resources>other staff forms>behavior specialist request form. An electronic request must be filled out for each student before the BST comes out. Behavior Specialist Request Form
When the request is made, the BST will reach out to the teacher within 2 to 3 days and schedule an observation based on the times you gave in the request.
What will the BST Do?
Conduct initial observations (typically between 2-3 observations for approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour). More observations may be necessary if the team member is unable to directly observe the problem behavior. The BST may meet with the teacher before the observation to discuss concerns or a separate meeting may be scheduled.
Review data being taken and/or suggest a new data collection system be started.
Write recommendations including proactive and reactive measures.
Meet with the teacher to review recommendations and ensure that recommendations can be implemented.
Send recommendations via email to the teacher and the rest of the team.
Schedule and provide training to staff as needed.
Attend PSMs and team meetings to discuss recommendations and review them with the whole team.
Based on the individualized needs of the student and the team, follow-up through weekly observations will continue to see how the plan is working.
Fade to monthly check-ins once the behavior has stabilized.
Cases will be closed when supervisors indicate that they no longer need us.
Level of need offered- Disclaimer: Behaviors can change at any time, and level of need can change at any time. Services from the BST are available to all students regardless of what level is initially put on the BST request form.
i. Level 1 - Defined as needing one or two observations to provide one set of recommendations, one set of materials, limited training. Staff may be stuck on an intervention, unclear of a behavior, or would like a second opinion.
ii. Level 2 - Defined as needing multiple observations to provide a limited level of guidance for a student disrupting their learning. Recommendations, materials, and training are needed. Multiple strategies have been tried and have been unsuccessful.
iii. Level 3 - Defined as needing weekly observations to provide the highest level of support for a student that is disrupting their learning and the learning of other students in the class on a daily basis. Recommendations, materials, training, and modeling are needed. Multiple strategies have been tried and have been unsuccessful.