When the IEP Goes Sideways: What Behavior Analysts Can Contribute, from Evaluation to Disagreement

Behavior analysts are often brought into a student's IEP after problems have already built up, yet many have little training in how the special education process is structured or where their expertise fits within it. Without that understanding, it is hard to tell where the process broke down, what data would help the team respond, or which contributions fall within a behavior analyst's role. This session walks through the major stages of the special education process: evaluation, eligibility, IEP development, implementation and progress monitoring, and dispute resolution. Using a composite case followed across one school year, participants will identify the points where problems commonly arise, such as an evaluation that does not assess the behavior of concern, goals and behavior plans that are not supported by data, and escalation toward a more restrictive placement. For each stage, participants will consider what data could help the team address the problem and determine appropriate contributions a behavior analyst can make while remaining within their role and scope of competence. All examples and scenarios are composites and do not describe real students or families.

Attend live and your CEU certificate is issued after the session.