We’ve talked about an IEP – Individualized Education Program, but what is a BIP – Behavior Intervention Plan?
A BIP is an intervention plan to help a child with unwanted behaviors. Behaviors that are impeding their education.
The IDEA website defines it as,
“The use of positive behavioral interventions and supports must be considered in the case of a child whose behavior impedes his or her learning or that of others. The requirement in 34 CFR §300.530(f) that a child with a disability receive, as appropriate, an FBA and a BIP and modifications designed to address the child’s behavior now only applies to students whose behavior is a manifestation of their disability as determined by the LEA, the parent, and the relevant members of the child’s IEP Team under 34 CFR §300.530(e)”
Reading that whole paragraph may be a little confusing. So let’s break it down and start at the beginning.
Your child has an IEP – Individualized Education Program
Who, what and when of an IEP is described here. I also wrote about what you can put into an IEP.
The modification and accommodations may not be enough. Behaviors are still happening. A BIP – Behavior Intervention Plan may be needed.
How to get a BIP – Behavior Intervention Plan?
First, you need to approve an FBA. An FBA is Functional Behavioral Assessment.
Then put together a BIP. A BIP is attached to the IEP. The BIP is to be followed to ensure wanted behaviors.
Things may change. Circumstances, triggers, and behaviors may change and the BIP may need to be altered.
My son has had his changed every time we had an IEP. New things came up, or old ways of handling his behaviors were just not working out.
From the IDEA website,
“If the child needs a BIP to improve learning and socialization, the BIP can be included in the IEP and aligned with the goals in the IEP.”
BIP Example
2nd-grade behavior
An example from our lives is when C was in 2nd grade. That was the first year that we had a BIP put into place.
C was not doing well with transitions. Every time he needed to line up with the class or move with the class from one setting to another he would run away. And it was always unknown where he would run. Sometimes to the playground. But sometimes to the street. His school has an open campus and that behavior was not safe.
After an FBA was conducted we came up with a social story, and for alternative ways for C to transition from setting to another.
3rd-grade incidents
Another example is when a few days in a row C kept getting detention. The reason given was that he pushed someone. At first, I was okay with that because pushing someone is not acceptable behavior. But after the 3rd time, I thought there was something else going on. My son is not violent and it was very unlike him. Also, this detention was after school and because he was in school it took time away from his ABA at home.
I talked to the principal about my concerns. I learned that C was pushing kids when he felt trapped or when he was overwhelmed in a situation. I also learned that it was kids reporting the incidents and no adults were witnesses to this happening. And when C was questioned he was not able to answer because he would usually shut down and was not able to verbally stand up for himself or explain himself.
I was not okay with this!
I explained to the principal why this is happening. C was not pushing anyone to hurt them maliciously. It was to get out of a situation he was not comfortable in. C lacked the verbal skills to express himself to the other children or another teacher.
So we put in a BIP.
If a child was to report C hurting them there had to have been more than 1 witness or an adult that was a witness.
He would get detention during school hours. So he would lose a recess basically.
This worked out much better and C stopped getting into trouble.
An IEP is great to have for your child. When the modifications and accommodations are not enough and some of their behaviors are still in the way of their learning, a BIP may need to be put in place.
With a BIP the teachers and others at the school will have the understanding and resources they need to deal with the situations that may arise, appropriately.
You got this mama!
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