If your phone has been ringing from the school office more than you’d like, you’re not alone. For parents of children with autism, calls about behavior — meltdowns in the hallway, refusals to transition, aggressive outbursts, elopement — can feel like a daily reality. And if your child has been sent home early, suspended, or told they’re “too much” for the classroom, you may be wondering what you’re supposed to do next.
The good news: there are concrete steps you can take. You have more rights than you may realize, and there are tools — including something called a Behavior Intervention Plan — that can make a real difference for your child at school.
Here’s what you need to know.
Why Schools Struggle with Behavior (And Why It’s Not Just Your Child)
Many schools are underprepared to support students with complex behavioral needs. Teachers and staff are doing their best, but without the right training, resources, or individualized plans, even well-meaning schools can fall into patterns that make behavior worse — not better.
Things like sending a child home for a meltdown, raising voices during escalation, or removing a child from the classroom repeatedly can actually reinforce the very behaviors schools are trying to reduce. It’s not always anyone’s fault. But it does mean that the system, as it stands, often needs outside support and structure to function well for kids with autism.
That’s where you come in — as an informed, empowered parent.
Your Child Has Rights at School
If your child has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, they are likely eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This means they’re entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment possible.
In practical terms, this means:
Your child cannot simply be excluded from school because their behavior is hard to manage. Schools are required to support students with disabilities — not just send them home.
If your child already has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), behavioral challenges should be addressed within that plan. If they don’t have an IEP yet, this may be the right time to request an evaluation. You can do this in writing, and the school is legally required to respond.
What Is a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)?
A behavior intervention plan — commonly called a BIP — is a written document that outlines specific strategies for addressing a student’s challenging behaviors at school. It’s part of the special education process and is developed when a child’s behavior is significantly impacting their ability to learn or the learning environment around them.
A good BIP doesn’t just focus on what to do when behavior happens. It’s built around understanding why the behavior is happening in the first place.
Before a BIP is created, a team typically conducts a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA). This assessment looks at:
- What behaviors are occurring
- When and where they tend to happen
- What seems to trigger them
- What the child gets or avoids as a result of the behavior
This last piece — what the behavior is “working” to do for the child — is called the function of the behavior. A child might act out to escape a difficult task, to get attention, to communicate frustration, or to avoid sensory overwhelm. Understanding the function is what makes a BIP effective, because it allows the team to address the root cause rather than just reacting to the surface behavior.
What Should a BIP Include?
Every BIP looks a little different, but a solid plan typically includes:
A clear description of the target behavior. Vague language like “aggression” isn’t enough. A good BIP defines exactly what the behavior looks like, how often it happens, and how severe it can get.
The identified function of the behavior. Based on the FBA, the team documents what the child is communicating or gaining through the behavior.
Antecedent strategies. These are changes to the environment or routine that reduce the likelihood of the behavior occurring in the first place — things like adjusting seating, offering sensory breaks, or providing advanced notice of transitions.
Replacement behaviors. Rather than just trying to eliminate a behavior, a BIP should teach the child a more appropriate way to meet the same need. For example, if a child flips a table to escape a difficult task, the replacement behavior might be learning to hand a teacher a “break” card.
Response strategies. This section outlines how staff should respond when the behavior does occur — consistently, calmly, and in a way that doesn’t inadvertently reinforce it.
Data collection. A good BIP tracks whether the plan is working. If behaviors aren’t improving, the plan should be revisited.
How to Request a BIP for Your Child
You don’t have to wait for the school to suggest a BIP. If your child has an IEP and their behavior is causing problems at school, you can formally request a functional behavior assessment and behavior intervention plan in writing.
Here’s how to get the process started:
Step 1: Put your request in writing. Send an email or letter to your child’s special education coordinator or IEP case manager. State clearly that you are requesting an FBA and BIP due to your child’s behavioral challenges at school. Keep a copy for your records.
Step 2: Know your timeline. Once you make a written request, the school must respond within a specific timeframe (this varies by state, but Colorado schools are required to follow federal IDEA timelines). They must either agree to conduct the assessment or provide written notice explaining why they’re declining — which gives you the opportunity to dispute that decision.
Step 3: Participate in the process. You are a member of your child’s IEP team. You have the right to attend meetings, ask questions, and provide input on the BIP. You know your child better than anyone in that room.
Step 4: Review the plan carefully. Before signing off on a BIP, make sure it actually reflects your child’s needs. If something feels off — if the function of the behavior seems wrong, or the strategies don’t match what you know about your child — say so.
When the BIP Isn’t Enough
Sometimes a BIP is in place and things still aren’t improving. This can happen for a number of reasons: the plan wasn’t built on an accurate FBA, staff aren’t implementing it consistently, or the child’s needs have changed.
In these situations, you can:
- Request an IEP meeting to review and revise the BIP.
- Ask for an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at the school district’s expense if you disagree with the school’s assessment.
- Contact your state’s Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) for free advocacy support — Colorado’s is called PEAK Parent Center.
You can also look beyond the school for additional behavioral support.
How ABA Therapy Can Support What’s Happening at School
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy doesn’t just happen in a clinic or at home. One of the most valuable things a good ABA program can do is work in coordination with a child’s school team.
ABA therapists are trained in the same principles that underlie a well-designed BIP — understanding behavior functions, building replacement skills, and creating consistent environments. When a child’s home and school teams are working from the same framework, progress tends to accelerate.
At OGBC, our team works with families across Colorado — including parents navigating school challenges — to provide ABA therapy that supports the whole child. We can help identify the function of behaviors, build communication and coping skills, and offer guidance to parents on how to advocate effectively within the school system.
If your child is struggling at school and you’re not sure where to turn, we’re happy to talk through your situation and help you figure out the right next step — whether that’s ABA therapy, school advocacy, or both.
You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
When your child is being called “a problem” at school, it can feel isolating and overwhelming. But you are not without options, and your child is not without hope.
With the right supports — a thoughtful BIP, a consistent team, and behavioral therapy that addresses root causes — kids who were once sent home regularly can learn to thrive in school environments.
Start by knowing your rights. Request that FBA. Get the BIP in place. And if you need additional support along the way, OGBC is here.
Reach out to us at our Denver area, Louisville, or Florence locations to learn more about how ABA therapy can support your child at school and beyond.
