By Vince LaMarca, M.A., BCBA, Editor
Lovaas Institute - Indianapolis

As every teacher and paraprofessional knows, behavior challenges that arise at school cannot always be approached the same way they are handled at home. Some strategies available at home are difficult to implement at school. For example, ignoring a tantrum at school can make it difficult for other children to concentrate. Equally, the school setting may not be suitable for incorporating the same types of reinforcement that have been effective with a child at home. Although not all strategies used in the home setting can be applied to the school environment, the same thought process used in home behavioral treatment programs may be used to find effective solutions in the classroom. Below are six key steps to determining an effective behavior intervention.