Behavior Intervention

Monarch School’s Behavior Department is led by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) / Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA) Director, and it consists of 12 Behavior Specialists including BCBAs and those pursuing their certifications. To support Monarch School students who face behavioral challenges, the Behavior Department implements Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) throughout the school across the following three tiers:

Tier 1 supports are imbedded in the Monarch Model and include macro and micro schedules provided as needed throughout a student’s school day, an effective communication system, and appropriate sensory input throughout the day.  Classrooms should have limited visual and auditory distractions and include areas structured according to the activity that will take place in that area.

Tier 2 supports are designed and implemented by classroom staff and therapists with consultation from a behavior specialist. These supports include the use of proactive strategies including positive reinforcement, differential reinforcement, independent or group contingencies, teaching coping strategies, adaptation of the classroom environment, token economies and using behavioral momentum. Additional supports include reactive strategies including reduced demands, change of staff, and distraction.

Tier 3 supports are utilized when Tier 1 and 2 supports do not successfully prevent or reduce challenging behaviors or when behaviors present danger or harm to students or staff.  Tier 3 supports include a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) developed as the result of a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and include proactive strategies, reactive strategies, and replacement behavior interventions. The FBA is completed with input from all interdisciplinary team members. This information, which is attained through analysis of the child’s behavioral history and systematic observation across multiple settings, is utilized to hypothesize what function the targeted behaviors serve for the child. A comprehensive reinforcement inventory is also completed to identify preferred items and activities that can be used to strengthen and support positive behaviors. BIPs are customized for each student and contain individualized mastery criteria.

The ultimate goal of the Behavior Department is to decrease the amount of supports each student needs as s/he makes progress, so that students can become more independent, thereby enabling them to gain access to less restrictive environments.

 

Restraint Policy   

Every year, all staff at Monarch School receive training and certification in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) procedures including TCI certification, CPR certification and First Aid certification. At Monarch School, restraint is an emergency safety intervention that shall only occur when there is an immediate risk of physical harm to the student or others, and shall occur only in a manner that protects the safety of all children and adults at the school. Please click here to read the following:

 

Anti-Harassment, Anti-Intimidation, or Anti-Bullying Policy

It is Monarch School’s policy to provide an educational environment free from harassment, intimidation and bullying. Monarch School is committed to protecting its students from any form of physical, verbal or mental abuse. Please click here to read Monarch School’s Anti-Harassment, Anti-Intimidation, or Anti-Bullying Policy.

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