Every child misbehaves sometimes. Whether at home or in the classroom, there are times when kids don’t follow expectations. However, if misbehavior at school becomes a recurring issue and affects learning, it might be time to work with school staff to create a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP).
What is a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)?
A BIP is a structured document outlining interventions to address problematic behaviors, particularly in educational and therapeutic settings. It aims to reduce disruptive behaviors by understanding their functions and providing alternatives to meet the individual's needs.
A BIP can vary in length, from a single page to several pages, depending on the case. It typically focuses on three key components:
- Identifying targeted behaviors
- Understanding behavior functions and environmental triggers
- Implementing strategies to reduce problem behaviors and promote positive alternatives
Behaviors Addressed by a BIP
A BIP targets behaviors that interfere with learning, social interaction, or personal development, such as:
- Aggression: Hitting, kicking, or biting
- Disruption: Yelling, throwing objects, or running away
- Self-Injury: Head-banging or skin-picking
- Attention-Seeking: Interrupting or shouting inappropriately
The 4 Rs of a Behavior Intervention Plan
The 4 Rs—Recognize, Respond, Replace, and Review are essential for creating an effective BIP:
- Recognize: Identify problem behaviors, their triggers, and their functions. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) or other professional can help ensure accuracy.
- Respond: Address behaviors consistently and appropriately without reinforcing them.
- Replace: Teach alternative behaviors that serve the same purpose in a more appropriate way.
- Review: Continuously monitor progress, collect data, and adjust strategies as needed.
Example of the 4 Rs in Action
Scenario: Alex frequently disrupts class by yelling.
- Recognize: Alex yells when tasks are difficult, which has led to task avoidance in the past.
- Respond: The teacher stays calm, avoids reinforcing the behavior, and provides guidance.
- Replace: Alex learns to use a "help card" instead of yelling.
- Review: The teacher tracks progress, sees a decrease in yelling, and gradually reduces help card prompts.
Key Components of a BIP
A BIP includes several essential elements that guide behavior intervention:
1. Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
Functional behavior assessment helps you to gather data to determine the reasons behind a behavior. It involves:
- Observing the student in different settings
- Gathering input from teachers, parents, and caregivers
- Identifying triggers, consequences, and reinforcement patterns
Understanding the function of behavior allows professionals to design targeted interventions.
2. Goals and Objectives
A BIP should include SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound). For example, instead of "improve attendance," a SMART goal would be "increase attendance by 20% over two months."
Selecting suitable interventions is an important component of a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). These interventions must be evidence-based, demonstrating efficacy through both research and practical application.
Furthermore, they should be customized to meet the unique needs of the individual, considering their strengths, preferences, and the functions of their behavior as defined by the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA).
How to Implement a BIP
1.Conduct a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
This step involves observing the student in their environment and gathering input from parents, teachers, and behavior analysts to identify behavior patterns.
2. Develop the BIP
A BIP should clearly outline:
- Target behaviors (e.g., elopement, aggression)
- Replacement behaviors (e.g., requesting help instead of throwing objects)
- Strategies for implementation
3. Establish Replacement Behaviors
Replacement behaviors serve the same function as the problematic ones but in a more appropriate way. Examples include:
- Teaching a child to raise their hand instead of shouting for attention
- Encouraging a student to request help instead of throwing objects
4. Use Effective Strategies
- **Positive Reinforcement:** Encouraging desired behaviors by providing rewards such as praise, stickers, or extra playtime. Reinforcers should be meaningful to the child and gradually faded as natural reinforcement takes over.
- **Prompting:** Using cues (verbal, physical, or visual) to guide the child toward appropriate behaviors. For example, saying, "Use your words if you need help."
- Modeling: Demonstrating appropriate behavior for the child to imitate, particularly useful for social skills.
- Environmental Adjustments: Reducing distractions, providing clear routines, or offering sensory tools to prevent problem behaviors.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Behavior Intervention Plan
Once a BIP is in place, it’s essential to continually assess its effectiveness to ensure the individual is progressing and that the plan remains relevant to their needs. Regular data collection and evaluation allow for adjustments and improvements, ensuring that the desired outcomes are achieved.
1. Tracking Progress
Monitoring and documenting changes in behavior over time is crucial to evaluating a BIP’s success.
Examples:
- A teacher keeps a daily log of a student’s behavior, noting incidents of yelling or running away and comparing these occurrences over several weeks.
- A parent tracks their child's behavior at home, noting whether tantrums decrease.
2. Gathering Feedback
Collaborating with teachers, parents, and caregivers provides valuable insights into how well the BIP is working in different settings.
Examples:
- A teacher and parent meet to compare notes on the child's progress at school and home.
- A caregiver shares observations on how the child reacts to new routines or visual cues.
3. Making Adjustments
As individuals progress or face challenges, the BIP must be flexible enough to change with their evolving needs.
Examples:
- If a child struggles with transitions despite visual cues, the plan could include more frequent practice routines or different visual prompts.
- If reinforcement strategies lose effectiveness, new motivators may need to be introduced.
4. Reviewing Long-Term Effectiveness
Assess whether behavior changes are lasting and if the individual can maintain positive behavior independently.
Examples:
- After several months, a teacher assesses whether the child follows classroom routines without prompts.
- Parents evaluate if their child asks for help calmly during stressful situations.
Conclusion
A BIP is a powerful tool that helps individuals manage problematic behaviors in educational and therapeutic settings. By identifying behavior functions and implementing structured strategies like positive reinforcement, prompting, and modeling, individuals can develop positive alternatives. Regular monitoring, collaboration, and flexibility ensure that the plan remains effective and evolves with the individual’s needs.
