Inclusive classrooms aim to provide education to all students together, regardless of abilities. Pushing classrooms, where support comes to the student in the general education setting, allows Board Certified Behaviour Analysts (BCBAs) to provide real-time intervention and guidance. BCBAs in this model ensure that students with behavioural or learning challenges can succeed without leaving the mainstream environment.
Definition and Purpose
A pushing classroom model involves the BCBA entering the general classroom to support students directly. Unlike pullout sessions, students remain in their regular environment while receiving individualised attention, behaviour guidance, and skill-building support.
In-Class Support for Students
BCBAs observe students’ behaviours, provide prompts, and deliver reinforcement while lessons are in progress, ensuring that learning continues without interruption.
Behavior Management and Skill Development
They address challenging behaviours immediately, teach replacement skills, and model appropriate social behaviours to students.
Collaboration with General Education Teachers
BCBAs work alongside teachers to implement strategies seamlessly, ensuring interventions align with classroom goals.
Individualized Attention Within Mainstream Class
Students receive targeted support without being removed from peers, promoting inclusion and social interaction.
Real-Time Intervention and Guidance
BCBAs can address behaviours and learning challenges as they occur, making interventions more effective.
Promoting Inclusion Without Separation
This model allows students to participate fully in general education while still receiving the specialised support they need.
Managing Multiple Students with Different Needs
BCBAs may need to support several students simultaneously, requiring strategic prioritisation and multitasking.
Classroom Dynamics and Distractions
Providing individualised support in an active classroom demands flexibility and strong classroom management skills.
Balancing Curriculum Demands
BCBAs must ensure interventions do not disrupt the flow of lessons or interfere with overall academic goals.
Observational Data Collection
Real-time observations allow BCBAs to track behaviours and skills as they occur naturally.
Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) in Real Time
In-class assessments provide accurate insight into behaviour triggers and effective interventions.
Adjusting Strategies Based on Ongoing Data
Continuous data collection allows BCBAs to modify support strategies immediately, ensuring optimal outcomes.
Integrating BIPs Into Daily Classroom Activities
BIPs are applied in context, ensuring that interventions are practical and relevant to academic and social tasks.
Monitoring Progress Without Interrupting Class Flow
BCBAs balance data collection and intervention implementation to maintain the classroom environment.
Coordinating With Teachers and Support Staff
Collaboration ensures consistency and enhances the effectiveness of interventions.
Natural Environment Teaching (NET)
Skills are taught and reinforced in the natural classroom setting, increasing generalisation.
Positive Behavior Support (PBS)
Prevention-focused strategies reduce problem behaviours while promoting positive alternatives.
Prompting and Reinforcement in Real Time
Immediate feedback helps students learn and maintain appropriate behaviours effectively.
Coaching Teachers on Behavioral Strategies
BCBAs provide guidance on implementing strategies that can benefit all students in the classroom.
Maintaining Consistency Across Students
Consistent application of behavioural interventions ensures that students benefit fully from support.
Encouraging Inclusive Practices
Teachers learn to integrate ABA principles into daily routines, creating a more inclusive environment for everyone.
Mobile Data Collection Tools
Apps streamline recording behaviours, interventions, and progress directly in the classroom.
Communication Supports for Students
Assistive communication devices enhance participation and independence.
Adaptive Learning Apps for Skill Building
Interactive apps help reinforce academic and behavioural skills.
Reinforcement and Motivational Systems
BCBAs implement positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviours in real time.
Managing Challenging Behaviors on the Spot
Immediate intervention prevents escalation and supports learning.
Teaching Social Skills Within Group Activities
BCBAs model and reinforce appropriate social interactions during classroom activities.
Collaboration on Real-Time Strategies
Parents are informed about classroom interventions to reinforce strategies at home.
Reinforcing Skills at Home
Consistency between home and school maximizes skill acquisition.
Providing Updates on Classroom Progress
Regular communication ensures families are engaged and informed about student growth.
Compliance with IDEA and ADA
Classroom support must adhere to federal laws protecting students with disabilities.
Maintaining Confidentiality
Student information is handled securely to protect privacy.
Ethical Guidelines for In-Class Behavior Support
BCBAs follow professional codes to ensure interventions are safe, ethical, and respectful.
Academic and Behavioral Improvements
Real-time support improves both learning outcomes and behavioural skills.
Social Development in Inclusive Settings
Students build social confidence while learning appropriate peer interactions.
Long-Term Generalization of Skills
Skills taught in the classroom carry over into other environments, fostering independence.
