Behavioral Services
Many of the students served by The School at McGuire Memorial exhibit challenging behaviors including aggression, self-injurious behaviors and property destruction. Our goal as educators is to help our students become self-directed and independent individuals. Therefore, we choose to use as few prompts as possible when working with our students.
We view the use of restraints as encouraging prompt dependency and as being the most restrictive, invasive, and aggressive technique that can be employed in response to a student’s behavior. Restraining is counterintuitive to promoting self-direction and independence. Therefore, physical restraints are not an option for addressing behavioral crises in our school. Instead, we use evidence-based practices of Applied Behavior Analysis and UkeruTM (a restraint free crisis intervention focused on the approach of trauma-informed care and Comfort vs ControlTM to both increase prosocial behaviors and address episodes of behavioral dyscontrol. To learn more about the Ukeru program, please click HERE.
Positive Behavioral Support
A full-time board-certified behavioral analyst serves as the Director of Behavior Services. He/she uses research and evidence-based practices to guide the development and implementation of a comprehensive positive behavior support program. He/she is responsible for developing and implementing a behavior intervention program rooted in Applied Behavior Analysis, individualized to the needs of students and implemented by well-trained staff. He/she ensures that treatment and intervention options utilized within the school are behaviorally sound, restraint free, and conforming to best practices, state regulations and school policies. As a BCBA, The Director of Behavior Services works with Master and Bachelor level ABA Coaches and Bachelor level behavior technicians to develop, implement, and maintain positive behavior support plans which are based on appropriate analysis of objective data. Behavior Technicians are the primary agents of change for behavioral deficits in children enrolled in The School at McGuire Memorial. Under the supervision of the Director of Behavior Services, they implement positive behavior support plans which are based on appropriate analysis of objective data. They are responsible for detailed data collection, thorough observations, accurate documentation and adherence to evidence-based procedures and regulatory compliance guidelines as well as documenting present behavior levels and progress monitoring using IEP Writer. Behavior Technicians provide direct student support and work collaboratively with Special Education teachers to implement positive behavior support plans in the school environment.
Additional Related Services provided through School Districts/Intermediate Units
Transportation services to/from school are provided by the sending school district. The need for door-to-door transportation is documented in the IEP as is the need for safety devices while being transported. School staff are responsible for students up to the doors of the bus/van. Bus staff are responsible for assisting students into the vehicle, securing harnesses, etc. While behavioral episodes during transportation are out of the realm of our supervision, the School’s Director of Behavioral Services will work collaboratively with districts to problem-solve behavior challenges on buses. Problem solving strategies may include bus staff training, seating suggestions, reinforcement options and suggestions for safety devices.