The Bay School uses evidence-based interventions to support individuals with complex behavioral needs.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities sometimes engage in behavior that poses a risk of harm to themselves or others, such as physical aggression, self-injurious behavior (SIB), elopement, and pica. Additionally, some individuals engage in disruptive behavior that becomes a barrier to learning and social opportunities. These challenging behaviors often require the support of specialists and highly trained staff to ensure they are addressed in a safe, effective manner. 

The Bay School serves students who have a wide range of behavior support needs. We use the science and technology of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to reduce challenging behavior and teach appropriate, alternative behaviors. Our team of full-time Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) oversee the assessment, development, and ongoing evaluation of individualized behavior treatment plans and work collaborative with all team members to ensure each student’s behavioral needs are met.

Our BCBAs conduct functional behavior assessments (FBAs) to understand the reason(s) why challenging behaviors occur in order to develop interventions that will decrease the occurrence of that behavior over time. Typically, this involves teaching the individual a replacement behavior—a more socially appropriate way to meet their needs. We believe that the reduction of challenging behavior and the development of communication and social interaction skills work hand-in-hand. The specialized care we provide enables each individual we serve to make significant and ongoing improvements in behavior and functional skills. 

We are committed to using evidence-based interventions to ensure the highest quality of care for the individuals we serve.