B2H: The ABCs of IEPs for BCBAs

This presentation provides Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) with a comprehensive overview of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the special education process, with a focus on meaningful collaboration within school-based teams serving students with autism and related disabilities. Designed for behavior analysts working across educational and clinical settings, the session will review the foundational principles and legal tenets of IDEA, including Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), procedural safeguards, and parent participation.

Participants will examine the full continuum of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, beginning with referral, evaluation, and eligibility determination through the development and implementation of IEPs and transition planning for post-secondary outcomes. Key components of the IEP will be explored in detail, including present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP), measurable annual goals, accommodations and modifications, behavioral supports, related services, special education placement, progress monitoring, and transition services. The session will also cover the competencies and standards for collaboration when working in an environment that is not created for BCBAs.

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will be able to describe the foundational principles and legal requirements of IDEA, including FAPE, LRE, procedural safeguards, and parent participation and how behavioral interventions fit within this framework.

Participants will be able to identify and explain each stage of the IEP process, from referral and evaluation through IEP development, implementation, and transition planning.

Participants will be able to articulate the role of BCBAs within multidisciplinary educational teams, including how to contribute ethically through data collection, functional assessment, progress monitoring, and collaborative decision-making in an indirect support role.gress monitoring, and collaborative decision‑making.

Speakers