The COJUSD Behavior Team exists to accomplish the same mission as our District, “Educate Minds and Inspire Futures.” Our Vision is to support all students in becoming college, career, community ready and prepared to compete in a global community. We meet these aims by providing evidence based practices through Applied Behavior Analysis in direct services to our children. We Teach, Model and Practice our vision and mission when producing meaningful consultation and collaboration, with our school staff, our parents and community partners. All of this we do to support students who have yet to develop the appropriate social-emotional skills necessary to communicate in a way that everyone understands and accepts.

The COJUSD Behavior Team is composed of Behavior Intervention Technicians (BIT/RBT), a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), School Psychologists, and the Director of Special Services. 

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a systematic and evidence-based approach to understanding and modifying human behavior. It is a field of psychology that focuses on the principles of behaviorism to bring about positive changes in behavior. ABA is widely used in various settings, including education, therapy, and healthcare, to help individuals acquire new skills, reduce problem behaviors, and improve their overall quality of life. Here are some key concepts and principles of Applied Behavior Analysis:

ABA is concerned with observable and measurable behavior. Behavior includes anything a person does, such as talking, reading, eating, or hitting. It can also encompass emotional responses like smiling or crying.

This model is fundamental to ABA and helps in understanding behavior patterns. It consists of three components:

The event or stimulus that occurs before the behavior.

The event that follows the behavior, which can be either a reinforcement or punishment.

ABA uses reinforcement to strengthen desired behaviors. Positive reinforcement involves providing something pleasant (e.g., praise, rewards) after a behavior, making it more likely to recur. Negative reinforcement involves removing something unpleasant (e.g., taking away a chore) to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

ABA also considers punishment to reduce unwanted behaviors. Positive punishment involves adding something unpleasant (e.g., time-out, scolding) after a behavior to decrease its occurrence. Negative punishment entails removing something desirable (e.g., taking away a toy) to achieve the same effect.

ABA practitioners conduct FBAs to understand the underlying causes of problem behaviors. This assessment helps identify the antecedents and consequences that maintain problematic actions and informs the development of intervention strategies.

A key step in ABA is identifying specific, measurable, and observable target behaviors. These are the behaviors that need to be modified or improved through intervention.

ABA relies heavily on data collection to track progress and make informed decisions. Behavior analysts use various methods, such as direct observation, to gather data on the target behavior and its surrounding circumstances.

A BIP is a structured plan developed based on the findings of the FBA. It outlines the strategies and techniques to be used to address the target behavior, including reinforcement and punishment procedures.

ABA seeks to ensure that the skills acquired or behaviors modified generalize to different settings, people, and situations. This promotes the sustainability of behavior change.

ABA practitioners are expected to follow a strict code of ethics, ensuring that interventions are implemented responsibly and with the best interests of the individual in mind.

Applied Behavior Analysis is highly customizable and can be applied across various populations, including children with autism spectrum disorders, individuals with developmental disabilities, and even in organizational behavior management. It is a data-driven and evidence-based approach that has proven effective in promoting positive behavior change and improving the lives of individuals across a wide range of settings.

A BCBA, or Board Certified Behavior Analyst, is a professional who helps children, especially those with behavior and learning challenges, improve their skills and behavior.

Within a school setting, a BCBA works to:

1. Assess Students: They observe and evaluate students to understand their behavior and learning needs.
2. Create Plans: They design customized behavior and learning plans to help students succeed.
3. Support Teachers: They train and guide teachers on how to use these plans in the classroom.
4. Monitor Progress: They regularly check how students are doing and adjust plans as needed.
5. Promote Positive Behavior: They focus on encouraging good behavior and teaching new skills.

In short, BCBAs work to ensure students have the support they need to thrive in school.

An RBT, or Registered Behavior Technician, is a trained professional who works under the supervision of a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) to help children with behavior and learning challenges.

Within a school setting, an RBT:

1. Works with Students: They directly work with students, following the behavior and learning plans created by the BCBA.
2. Implements Strategies: They use specific techniques to teach new skills and manage behavior.
3. Supports Classroom Activities: They assist in the classroom to help students stay focused and engaged.
4. Collects Data: They track students' progress and behavior, providing valuable information to the BCBA.
5. Provides Consistency: They ensure that students receive consistent support throughout the school day.

In short, RBTs play a hands-on role in helping students apply the strategies designed to improve their behavior and learning.