When a student or family member struggles with behavior, learning, or other developmental concerns and no support is available in their school or community, it reduces their options for improvement and success. For example, a student may be on the verge of being expelled but not have access to the accommodations they need to succeed.

Educational and Behavioral Services (EBS) therapists are professionals that provide applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy services outside of school. ABA therapy has been proven to improve academic performance, decrease classroom outbursts and increase engagement with the community around a struggling student. EBS therapists receive specialized training for this work, including behavior and language assessments, individualized programming, ongoing consultation with parents and educators, and parent management training.

There are a variety of reasons why a student may be struggling to access appropriate services in their school. A student may have an IEP that is not providing the support they need for success. Some school districts offer only partial-day ABA services or behavior-related supports that are limited or inconsistent, and many school districts do not provide access to education therapists at all. Afterschool programs, therapeutic day schools, and other supports often do not cover the full spectrum of needs and program length that may be appropriate for a student’s needs.

EBS therapists fill a critical gap by providing therapy in areas where no services are available, improving access to essential interventions for students who could otherwise be denied an opportunity at success. EBS therapists provide therapy and consultation to students in various settings, including residential treatment facilities, family homes, schools, and other community-based settings. EBS therapists may also assist with evidence-based practices in their schools, such as Functional Behavior Assessments and Social Skills Groups.

Thousands of families across the country are forced to leave their communities so their children can receive the necessary support to go to school or participate in community events. With no EBS providers available in their area or with an IEP that is not providing access, these parents are left with few alternatives for the most effective support strategies. The number of families moving away from home due to a lack of required services continues each year.

The EBS program provides a solution for families forced to move away from home, as well as a host of other challenges. Families in these situations may benefit from having an EBS therapist who can continue working with them and their child to provide the support and intervention plan that would otherwise not be available.

EBS therapists may work outside of school hours and provide adequate services to struggling students in their homes, community, or schools. Some families are forced to choose between providing the necessary support and staying home with their child, while others have lost their jobs because a loved one has been expelled and removed from school. Some students may struggle in school because they are not getting the necessary behavioral intervention and supports, perhaps due to frequent classroom changes. Some students may be in an environment that is not meeting their needs for special education services, or maybe the school district does not offer any support.

In addition to helping children struggling in general education environments, EBS therapists also serve those who need ABA therapy through schools or agencies that cannot provide access.