One of the most challenging parts about student behavior is getting all the team members on the same page in regard to responding to the behavior. What strategies to use? What visuals will support behaviors? When we should ignore or engage? What are reinforcers or breaks? There are so many questions and often times lots of people working with that student. So how do we get the team all on the same page?
1.) Create a staffing: One of the first things I do when we have a student exhibiting higher levels of challenging behavior and lots of people are involved, is hold a staffing. Anyone who is involved in supporting that student or may assist that student in crisis is invited. I always ensure to have an agenda prepared to keep the meeting solution-focused and create rules or parameters around the types of discussions we are looking to have on the student. Common things I may address at a staffing:
-Figuring out a support schedule or scheduling needs
-Determining at what times of the day students may need breaks/social skills/social stories/special accommodations/etc.
-Laying out all the target behaviors or behaviors of concern and going over the predictable staff responses to them
-Going over visuals/creating visuals and when/how to use them
-Determining what data needs to be collected and how we are collecting it
2.) Make the plan accessible: One way we were able to make a plan we may have created at a staffing more accessible is by printing it out for staff members to access everyday. Often times, I found myself typing out the plan or supports and putting it on a clip board, in a folder for staff to check, near their data collection tools or behavior chart. It served as a great reminder and a way to hold staff members accountable for the plans as well as supporting them in implementing the plans.
3.) Meet often: Make a plan to meet often. Whether that's weekly, biweekly or monthly depending on the level of behavior or need. Often times we use those meetings to check on the data, make adjustments to the plans or continue to problem-solve and respond to behaviors. This is a good way for the team members to bring up any concerns or new concerns in regards to behaviors.
Creating plans for students that are predictable and consistent is important, but can be challenging when lots of staff members are involved. Collaboration and communication is key to creating impactful plans to improve student behavior and outcomes.