This document outlines 8 steps to help teachers identify problems a student may be having in the classroom and determine the best interventions to address the issue. The steps include: 1) checking that universal design principles are being followed, 2) clearly identifying the problem behavior, 3) identifying triggers, 4) observing outcomes, 5) determining desired replacement behaviors, 6) selecting interventions, 7) implementing interventions, and 8) tracking intervention results. The process helps teachers properly assess issues, choose evidence-based solutions, and continuously evaluate progress.

1. How Do I Help This Student?
Presentation
by
Carol Hoyle
USC: EDET 735

2. When students are having
problems in your classroom, don’t
just guess at what to do!!
Follow the steps in these slides to
find the best interventions to help
them.

3. Step 1:
Check That You are Using
Universal Design Instructional
Principles
in Your Classroom*.
*7 principles used listed at beginning of Module 2 for EDET 735 class.

4. 1. Are you using accessible and
fair materials and activities?
Can all students use your class materials?
Can all students do the activities required?

5. 2. Are you providing flexibility?
Are you flexible in materials you use in class?
Are you flexible in ways you allow students to
participate?
Are you flexible in how you present your
materials and instruction?

6. 3. Are you straightforward and
consistent?
Do all students know what you expect them
to do?
Are you consistent in how you treat all
students?

7. 4. Are your materials and activities
explicitly presented and readily
perceived?
Can all students understand what you are
presenting and asking them to do?

8. 5. Do you provide a supportive
learning environment?
Can students ask you for help?
Do students feel supported in your
classroom?

9. 6. Do you minimize unnecessary
physical effort or requirements?
Can all students physically do what your
activities require?
Does the effort required frustrate any
students?

10. 7. Do you have a learning space
that accommodates both students
and instructional methods?
Is there room to do the activities in your
class?
Do you have the space and technology
needed to accommodate all students?

11. You have reviewed that you are
using Universal Design
Instructional Principles.
A student is still having a behavior
problem in your class.
Time to do the next steps!

12. Step 2:
Identify the individual student’s problem
clearly.
What exactly is the student doing?
Where does it happen?
When does it happen?
How long does it last?

13. Step 3:
Identify what happens before the
behavior occurs.
What happens to set off the problem
behavior?
Where/when is the behavior least likely to
happen?

14. Step 4:
Identify what happens right after the
behavior occurs.
What does the teacher do?
What does the student do?
What do the other students do?

15. Step 5:
Identify the behavior you want the
student to do in place of the problem
behavior.
What do you want the student to do?
Does the student have the skills to do it?

16. Step 5:
How will you teach the student the behavior?
What materials or technology will help the
student learn and do the new behavior or
skill?

17. Step 6:
Review what you wrote down for
Steps 1-5.
What available interventions match the
student need?
Can you intervene on your own?

18. Step 6:
Do you need outside help for this student?
Get help from school or district.

19. Step 7:
Choose and begin an intervention.

20. Step 8:
Keep data on your intervention
results.
Is the intervention working?
Keep using the intervention.

21. Step 8:
Keep data on your intervention results.
If the intervention is not working,
find new interventions to use.

22. Final Notes:
This is an ongoing process.
Student needs change.
Know your students well, and you
can better meet their needs.

23. References/Resources for Student
Interventions
Bambara, L.M. & Kern, L. (2005). Individualized Supports for Students with Problem
Behaviors: Designing Positive Behavior Plans. New York: Guilford Press.
Bowen, J., Jenson, W.R., & Clark, E. (2004). School-Based Interventions for Students with
Behavior Problems. New York: Springer.
Crone, D. A., Horner, R. H., & Hawken, L.S. (2004). Responding to Problem Behavior in
Schools. New York: Guilford Press.
Miltenberger, R.C. (2008). Behavior Modification Principles and Procedures. USA:
Thompson Wadsworth.