Behavioral Support Specialist

Since 1832, Pressley Ridge has done whatever it takes to create success for children, adults and families. Pressley Ridge’s innovative programming helps to rebuild communities and families who are facing difficult challenges and complex situations. From mental health and foster care services to residential treatment facilities and education for children with special needs, including autism and deafness, Pressley Ridge empowers nearly 8,000 kids and families each year with the ability and confidence to succeed.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities

To deliver programming that increase pro-social behaviors, aggression, and work refusal by students and serve as a contributing member of the classroom team responsible for the educational development of students, including:

1. Write and implement appropriate positive behavior support plans for students based on data collection.
2. Deliver behavior management instruction and interventions within the classroom for assigned students.
3. Participate in team meetings to develop and/or present behavior support plans to address difficult behavior.
4. Develop, recommend, and maintain data collection tools for his/her use, or for the classroom assistants or teachers to use.
5. Monitor data gathered from functional behavior assessments to assist in the development or modification of appropriate behavior support plans.
6. Use a reinforcement surveys, preference assessments, and reinforcement assessments to develop token economy systems and reinforcement schedules that are appropriate to the student’s needs.
7. Maintain consistent communication with families regarding student behavior and progress. Work with the Home Community Educator to assist the family with implementing behavior intervention techniques in the home.
8. Provide direct consultation to classroom teachers and classroom aides with regards to children with autism who have difficult behaviors.
9. Directly intervene in crisis situations.

To provide training and consultation:

1. Collaborate with classroom staff on effective positive behavior support practices.
2. May be asked to do internal/external trainings in employee’s field of knowledge.
3. Provide training to classroom teams on the use of various data collection tools. 

To ensure the safety of all students:

1. Follow and promote program-designated procedures for physical contact with students including restraints and/or student searches.
2. Assist other staff, as needed, in physical interventions to protect students, staff, and property from damage.
3. Keep mandated data for behavior interventions that involve physical restraint.
4. Work with classroom staff to avoid student elopement

To improve job skills and training:

1. With the Program Director’s approval, attend local, regional, state, and/or national conferences or workshops regarding behavioral topics to further skills.
2. Subscribe to and read articles from journals written specifically for children with autism or behavioral challenges.
3. With the approval of the Director, conduct in-service trainings when requested concerning behavior-related topics.