Learn what it takes to improve kids’ lives as a behavior intervention specialist. These tips from behavioral intervention implementation professionals describe how you can best assist students with disabilities—in the classroom and beyond. 

<div>
  Are you interested in taking on meaningful challenges in special education,
  making an impact on individual student success, immersing yourself in the
  classroom, and developing an expertise in behavior therapy? Then consider a
  career as a behavior intervention specialist!
</div>

<div>
  As a behavioral intervention specialist, you&#39;ll be able to help students
  who have learning, emotional, mental, and/or physical disabilities build their
  confidence and make progress. Depending on the school system, behavior
  intervention specialists are also called behavior interventionists or behavior
  intervention implementation (BII) specialists. Vital members of the school
  support team, BIIs have at least an associate&rsquo;s degree and requisite
  training in behavioral intervention.
</div>

<div>
  If you become a behavior intervention specialist, you&rsquo;ll attend to
  student behavior while addressing the emotional component of learning.
  You&rsquo;ll use evidence-based strategies designed by a team of experts to
  meet the needs of each student. The role of behavior intervention specialists
  is similar to that of paraprofessionals or special education aides, but with a
  focus on what makes students &quot;tick.&quot;<br />
</div>

<div>
  <h2>8 Tips for Behavioral Intervention Specialists</h2>

  <div>
    If you want to embark on a challenging yet fulfilling behavior intervention
    implementation job, here are 8 tips that can make you a success:
  </div>

  <ol>
    <li>
      <strong>Inclusion is the law.</strong><br />
      The behavior intervention specialist role exists so all students can
      access their right to education through the Individuals with Disabilities
      Education Act (IDEA). Regardless of ability, each student is entitled to
      the same level of inclusion, course participation, and respect as their
      peers. The job of a behavioral interventionist can be challenging, but it
      is immensely meaningful to those who find reward in supporting student
      progress and learning. In fact, the impact you can make as a BII is even
      measurable through data (more on that later)!
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>You must presume competence.</strong><br />
      Special education students can and will learn with the right support, and
      it&#39;s imperative you build off of their current knowledge and skill
      level while always offering positive supports. There is no typical
      student, but any student will perform better with a confidence boost.
      Always emphasize the student&#39;s strengths and accomplishments, as they
      want to be successful but may face unseen barriers. You must work just as
      hard as they do to account for these barriers.
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Rapport is key.</strong><br />
      Building rapport with your students is essential because, without it,
      students can&rsquo;t perform to the best of their ability through your
      support. Building rapport takes genuine effort and entails having
      patience, exercising empathy, and letting the student lead you at times.
      Get to know each student, as well as their peers, teachers,
      administrators, and guardians. Many students are more comfortable with
      your presence if they feel you are part of the larger learning environment
      and not singling them out, which may draw attention to their disability.
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Communication makes it happen.</strong><br />
      As a behavior interventionist, you should be in ongoing communication with
      staff and teachers regarding how each student&#39;s needs are being
      addressed. In addition to building rapport, it&rsquo;s crucial to
      collaborate and share information as appropriate. Inform the classroom
      teacher of behavior plan specifics. Communicate to your supervisor when
      new behaviors arise or when you have ideas that may help with the
      student&rsquo;s behavior support plan. It is not your responsibility to
      determine the behavior support plan, but your input is essential.
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong
        >You should follow the behavior support plan, yet be observant.</strong
      ><br />
      Behavior management is based on functional behavior analysis (formal
      observation) as well as your own interactions with the students in their
      regular environment (informal observation). Both formal and informal
      observation are critical to the student&#39;s success and to your ability
      to address the student&rsquo;s needs. As a BII, your role will be highly
      structured, even though part of the behavior plan may look like you are
      sitting near the student, not doing much. Sometimes not interfering is
      part of the structured plan!
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>There is significant data collection involved.</strong><br />
      Behavior management uses evidence-based strategies, and that evidence
      comes in the form of data. You will observe, measure, and record any
      behavior frequencies, durations, successes, and unsuccessful attempts (to
      name a few). As a behavior intervention specialist, you will be
      responsible for collecting and submitting accurate data at all times.
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>It&rsquo;s important to know your acronyms.</strong><br />
      If you&rsquo;re told to &ldquo;seek IEP and BSP/BIP information based on
      ABA,&rdquo; you&rsquo;ll need to know the lingo. The IEP is the
      individualized education program or plan. This is the document that, among
      other things, defines the student&#39;s goals. The BSP/BIP, or behavior
      support/behavior intervention plan, spells out precisely how to manage
      behavior to meet those goals using ABA, or applied behavior analysis,
      therapy.
    </li>
    <li>
      <strong>Learning is social and emotional.</strong><br />
      You are there to support the behavioral, academic, social, and emotional
      needs of the student. It&#39;s important to value each student as a whole,
      focus on strengths, always remain calm, and never take anything
      personally. Students learn better when they feel safe and are having fun.
    </li>
  </ol>

  <h2>Ready to Find Your Ideal Behavior Intervention Specialist Job?</h2>

  <div>
    Cross Country Education has flexible opportunities for behavior
    interventionists in a variety of educational settings from coast to coast.
  </div>

  <div>
    Find your ideal
    <a
      href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/job-search-results?what=Behavior+&amp;where="
      >behavior interventionist job</a
    >
    today.<br />
  </div>
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Want to Be a BII Specialist? Here’s What You Should Know.