People with disabilities can find themselves faced with various challenges in trial advocacy. Some of these challenges may include the ability to provide a behavioural history, locate evidence of past incidents, and handle the complex trial procedures that may be new to the individual.
The Behavior Support Plan is a vital tool for effective advocacy. When used correctly, it provides information vital to assisting an individual with a disability in proceeding through the legal process and trial.
Behaviour support plans contain the following points:
- challenging behaviour
The challenging behaviour is described in the functional behaviour assessment. It is described using clear language with a plan listing its antecedents and consequences.
In addition to the behavioural plan, you will also write a hypothesis on why the child engages in unwanted behaviour and what purpose it serves. This understanding will help you develop strategies to help children with unwanted behaviours.
- Plan for teaching
This section of a behaviour support plan describes how an intervention and individualized support will be implemented within a child’s daily routines in school and at home.
The plan must be tailored to the child’s individual needs, set realistic measurements for success, and consider the child’s unique abilities.
- Evaluation plan
An effective BSP will include an evaluation plan. This serves to communicate the reasons why the student requires support, and informs staff as to how they can best measure the extent to which they have been effective in supporting the student.
The purpose of the evaluation is not only to determine if there is a statistically significant change in specific behaviours with regard to the intervention but also to determine if there is a statistically significant change in school functioning for the student.
The Goal of BSP For Student
The goal of a Behavior Support Plan is to support the student’s educational experiences. The Plan includes strategies for engaging the student in specific learning activities, establishing a safe classroom environment, and ensuring the safety of all students and staff. The Plan is individualized for each student and may be adjusted as needed at any time.
Role Of Parents In BSP
A behavior support plan for your child should include you and the school, not only during the time that your child is in school but also at home. To be most effective, the plan should be monitored not only by you but by both you and the school. The school should keep you informed of your child’s progress and provide you with any tools or other materials necessary to reinforce the BSP at home.
Conclusion
All children deserve to be in an optimal environment, whether they have special needs or not. Behaviour support plans create the framework for preventing or minimizing behaviours that interfere with student learning and those that place students, teachers, or other staff at risk. Therefore, the role of school administrators is crucial. A concerted effort will lead to better outcomes for students and a safer environment for everyone in the school.
