Our Professional Development Program focuses on best practices delivered by practitioners who work with students each day. We offer professional development sessions to learn about our evidence-based approaches in both in-person and online formats. Please see below for the list of our current topic offerings.
Behavior Replacement
Behavior Replacement focuses on identifying and implementing positive behaviors that serve as alternatives to challenging behaviors. This approach is grounded in understanding the underlying reasons for behaviors and systematically replacing them with more appropriate actions.
During this session, you will learn:
- Philosophical foundation: Purposeful and Programmable
- 4 Functions and 3-term Contingency overview
- 8 steps to replace behaviors
- Measuring Effectiveness
Behavior Chains
Behavior Chains refer to sequences of behaviors that lead to a specific outcome. Understanding these chains allows educators to break down complex behaviors into manageable parts, enabling more effective intervention and teaching strategies.
During this session, you will learn:
- Review of functions
- Review of 3-term contingency
- “All the inputs”: MO/history/environment/competition
- Examples from written scenarios
- Examine real scenarios provided by staff
Functions of Behavior
Functions of Behavior explore the underlying reasons why behaviors occur, such as seeking attention or avoiding a task. By understanding these functions, educators can develop targeted interventions that address the root causes of behaviors.
During this session, you will learn:
- Describe/define the 4 functions
- Why do these functions exist?
- Attention and Escape
- Educated guesswork vs. FA/FBA
- M.O. effects Function
- Function effects Behavior
Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-Informed Care emphasizes the importance of recognizing and responding to the impact of trauma on students. This approach ensures that educational practices are sensitive to the needs of students who have experienced trauma, promoting a safe and supportive learning environment.
During this session, you will learn:
- The Why
- The What
- The How
Schedules of Reinforcement
Schedules of Reinforcement involve strategically providing rewards or consequences to encourage desired behaviors over time. Understanding and applying these schedules effectively can help in shaping and maintaining positive behaviors in students.
During this session, you will learn:
- Why schedule of reinforcement matters
- Meet them where they are: Age, Ability
- Respect where you are: Staff ratio, Staff ability, Staff buy-in
- Reinforcing replacements vs. building endurance
- How to build endurance with scheduling
- How shiny are your carrots?
Token Economies
Token Economies are systems where students earn tokens for positive behaviors that can be exchanged for rewards. This method is particularly effective for motivating students and teaching the value of delayed gratification.
During this session, you will learn:
- Definition: Tokens represent the “promise of a reward”
- Communicating the concept to students with communication barriers
- Payout matching effort
- Fading, Increasing Latency
- Measuring Effectiveness
If you're interested in learning more about this program, please fill out our contact form or email jamie.herrmann@newstory.com.
