Discussion- The BIP
After you have completed the Reading, and without reviewing your classmates’ responses, post your initial response to the following Discussion. Your post should be at least 300 words in length, should extend the discussion of the group, and should be supported by your course materials and/or other appropriate resources. After you have submitted your initial post, review some of your classmates’ posts and respond to at least two of your classmates; your responses to others should be at least 100 words in length and substantive. Refer to your Discussion Board rubric in Course Resources for a specific explanation of grading.
Read the following chapter in your Ethics for Behavior Analysts text:
- Chapter 9: “The Behavior Analyst and the Individual Behavior Change Program” (Guideline 4)
Bailey, Jon, Burch, Mary. Ethics for Behavior Analysts: 2nd Expanded Edition. [Purdue University Global Bookshelf]. Retrieved from https://
Search the Library for the following source:
Killu, K. (2008). Developing effective behavior intervention plans: Suggestions for school personnel. Intervention In School & Clinic, 43(3), 140–149.
Posted below.
The Behavior Intervention Plan
Scenario: Recall the scenario from Unit 3. An elementary school teacher, Ms. Dawson, was in her second year of teaching. She had a new student named, “Devin,” who recently transferred from another school to join her class. As you recall, Devin engages in disruptive behavior in the classroom in the form of teasing his classmates during class and occasional physical aggression toward them. Ms. Dawson has tried to ignore the behavior, implemented a behavioral intervention that she used in her prior classes, and sent Devin to the office, all to no avail. Devin often refuses to leave when prompted to go to the office. Ms. Dawson had begun to notice other students laughing at Devin’s antics on a more frequent basis, and she feels that she is gradually losing control over her classroom. A BCBA from the school district office has been assigned to work with Ms. Dawson to develop a behavior intervention plan to address this escalating problem.
Answer the following questions based on your readings from the following article:
Killu, K. (2008). Developing effective behavior intervention plans: Suggestions for school personnel. Intervention in School & Clinic, 43(3), 140–149.
- What is the purpose of the behavior intervention plan? What initial action should the BCBA take to help Ms. Dawson and the rest of the school staff understand why these behaviors continue to occur? Discuss the activities involved in this initial action.
- Why is it important to operationally define the problem behavior? How would you operationally define the behavior problem displayed by the student in the current scenario? Discuss and operationally define an appropriate replacement behavior for the problem behaviors in the current scenario?
- Choose two of the behavior plan elements discussed in the article; how are these elements relevant to the current scenario? Why is each element important, and how can each contribute to the development of an effective behavior intervention plan?
Use only the sources provided.
Solution Preview
Discussion – The BIP
The purpose of a behavior intervention plan is to teach and reward positive behaviors. Doing this helps prevent problem behaviors that can be highly disruptive within a classroom environment. It does this by addressing the causes of disruptive behaviors that may be observed among the students. Examples include students who show aggression towards others, students who act withdrawn or unresponsive, refusal to do class work, and using harassing language against others. When developing a behavior intervention plan,
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