Behavior is always a hot topic in special education.  If a school struggles to support a child’s behavior, the child often struggles comprehensively.  One solution is a comprehensive functional behavior assessment, which is an evaluation of the child’s trigger behaviors.  Once an FBA is done, the team can develop a BIP.

Dr. Solandy Forte of Milestones Behavioral Services walks us through the components to a well-written, comprehensive FBA in today’s episode. Solandy is my friend.  We met at the COPAA Convention through her husband, Jeff, who is a special education attorney in Connecticut.  I’d met Jeff at Wrightslaw’s ISEA a few years prior.  I met Solandy at a happy hour and knew I wanted to sit by her at dinner, as her passion and wisdom are contagious!  I could listen to her talk behavior all day!  

Dr. Forte’s explanation of the FBA is practical and thorough.  I have read so many FBAs that tell me very little about the child.  She explains the components of the FBA (which are listed in the FREE resource on my website here) and also the reasons that you need them.  This is amazing information that you can tote along with you to your next IEP meeting!    Then, she explains how to take the recommendations from an FBA to draft a Behavior Intervention Plan, which both supports the child with proactive and preventative strategies but also reactive interventions.  

I have a lot of cases that involve behavior, and Solandy taught me a thing or two in today’s episode!  It’s just that good!  

Meet My Guest: 

Solandy Forte, PhD, LCSW, BCBA-D

Licensed Behavior Analyst in CT, MA

Director, Consultation Services and Community Outreach

Dr. Solandy Forte is a doctoral level Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensed in Connecticut and Massachusetts and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Milestones Behavioral Services in Connecticut. Solandy provides consultation services to the Milestones’ School Programs, Advanced Intervention and Daycare. She is also leading the Community Outreach initiative.

Solandy has worked with children and young adults with a wide range of developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, autism and related disorders in their homes, schools, and community settings. She has coordinated with multi-disciplinary teams to promote capacity for educating children within the least restrictive educational setting.

Currently, Solandy serves on the Board of Directors for the Behavior Analyst Leadership Council (BALC) and has been a member of the Executive Council for the Connecticut Association for Behavior Analysts (CTABA). She has presented at regional and national conferences on topics related to staff training, behavioral assessment, navigating through cultural barriers, behavioral consultation, supervision, and ethics.

Solandy is an adjunct professor for the Institute of Autism and Behavioral Studies at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut and the Institute of Behavioral Studies at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts.

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