As BCBAs, we dedicate ourselves to creating intervention plans that support learners’ success, whether at home or in school. But it can be disheartening and frustrating to walk into a classroom and realize that none of our carefully crafted suggestions are being implemented.
This common challenge simply requires a deeper understanding of the obstacles teachers face and how we can adjust our approach to ensure our interventions are practical and effective.
In this post, we’ll explore strategies for building strong alliances with teachers, tailoring recommendations to fit classroom dynamics, maintaining open communication, and conducting fidelity checks to enhance the implementation of our interventions.
For help using ABA in preschool classrooms, check out this video!
1. Understand the Resistance
Teachers may not fully implement ABA interventions for a number of reasons. They might feel overwhelmed by their workload, lack a clear understanding of the strategies, or perceive them as impractical for their specific classroom dynamics.
When only parts of an intervention are tried without seeing results, teachers can quickly lose faith in the advice provided. That’s why understanding these factors is essential to addressing them effectively.
2. Build a Strong Alliance with the Teacher
The foundation of successful intervention implementation lies in building compassionate and supportive alliances with teachers. When meeting a teacher for the first time, focus on creating a collaborative relationship rather than immediately handing over data sheets and strategies.
Show that you’re there to support and work together, not dictate. Here’s how:
- Ask How You Can Help: Begin by genuinely asking, “How can I help you?” This shows your willingness to understand their needs and offer tailored support.
- Acknowledge Personal Struggles: Understand that teachers may feel burnout or frustration, especially if they have dealt with similar learning challenges before. Acknowledge their feelings, be considerate, and validate their experiences.
- Use Tried Suggestions: Never recommend an intervention that you haven’t tested yourself. Ensure that any suggestion you make is backed by your own experience and success.
- Model First: During your initial interactions, be present to demonstrate the interventions. Show them how to implement strategies smoothly, ensuring they feel confident and supported.
3. Listen to the Teacher’s Needs
Listening to teachers is key to uncovering their pain points and understanding their daily challenges. Ask questions like, “What would make your job easier?” or “What specific behaviors are you struggling with?”
By identifying these pain points, you can tailor your interventions to address the most pressing issues – making them more relevant and effective for the teacher.
4. Tailor Recommendations to Classroom Dynamics
Classroom settings are unique, with diverse student needs and varying dynamics. It’s vital to be mindful of these realities and adjust your recommendations accordingly.
Strategies that work well in one-to-one or small group settings may need significant modifications to be effective in a busy classroom with many students. Understanding these nuances can help in crafting more practical and feasible interventions.
5. Develop Practical and Feasible Solutions
Once you’ve identified the teacher’s needs and have a good sense of the classroom dynamic, focus on creating manageable interventions that fit their busy schedules.
Provide useful resources – such as simplified data sheets or clear, step-by-step guides – to help them implement the strategies more easily. When you make a recommendation, think about how you can make life easier for the teacher so he/she doesn’t have more work.
6. Continuous Support & Feedback
Maintaining open communication with the staff is crucial for adjusting ABA interventions as needed, ensuring they remain effective and relevant. Here’s how to establish a robust system of continuous support and feedback.
Regular Check-Ins
Encourage an open dialogue where both successes and difficulties can be shared candidly. Schedule regular meetings with the teacher to discuss progress and challenges. Use these sessions to identify what’s working and what may require modification.
Celebrate Small Wins
Highlighting positive outcomes reinforces the value of the interventions and boosts morale. Acknowledge and celebrate incremental successes to keep motivation high.
Provide Constructive Feedback
Offer helpful, constructive feedback based on observations and data collected during check-ins. Ensure your feedback is specific, actionable, and focused on improvement, rather than criticism.
Fidelity Checks
Conduct regular fidelity checks to ensure that interventions are being implemented as they should be. Use fidelity checklists or observation tools to assess how well intervention protocols are being implemented. If necessary, provide targeted feedback and additional training to address any issues.
Be Flexible
As a final reminder, remember that you and the classroom staff are a team. You’re working together for a common goal. If an intervention isn’t working, be flexible and find out why it isn’t.
Try tapping into the teacher’s values and reinforcers to help understand where the disconnect is. And always keep bringing the conversation back to: “How can this be helpful for you?”
Successfully implementing interventions in classroom settings requires a collaborative and empathetic approach. By understanding the unique challenges teachers face, tailoring recommendations to fit the classroom environment, and providing continuous support, we can enhance the effectiveness of our strategies.
