Name: From Function to Support: Behavior Strategies for Diverse Sensory Learners
Start: 2026-09-15T09:45:00-0400
End: 2026-09-15T10:45:00-0400

From Function to Support: Behavior Strategies for Diverse Sensory Learners

Tuesday September 15, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT

502 East Event Centre

Session Description:
Students with sensory and neurodevelopmental differences may communicate behavior in unique ways. This session explores practical, function-based strategies to assess, interpret, and support behavior across diverse learning needs using evidence-based, school-friendly approaches that promote access, regulation, and meaningful skill development.

Session Abstract:
Students with sensory and neurodevelopmental differences often communicate needs, stress, and skill deficits through behavior. Educators and service providers must be prepared to interpret behavior within the context of communication access, sensory processing, and environmental demands. This session explores how to apply function-based behavior assessment and intervention strategies to support diverse sensory learners in educational settings.

Participants will review how to identify the function of behavior while considering factors such as communication modality, access barriers, sensory regulation, trauma history, and skill acquisition needs. The presentation will highlight practical adaptations to traditional behavior frameworks, including modifying Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), aligning supports with communication systems, and embedding proactive antecedent strategies that increase predictability and engagement.

Attendees will leave with concrete, school-friendly tools to design individualized supports that prioritize dignity, autonomy, and meaningful participation. Emphasis will be placed on replacing reactive discipline with preventative, skill-based approaches that build regulation, communication, and independence.

This session is ideal for educators, related service providers, behavior specialists, and administrators seeking to strengthen behavior support practices for students with complex sensory and developmental profiles.

Session Goals:

Participants will identify at least three variables that influence behavior in students with sensory and neurodevelopmental differences (e.g., communication access, sensory processing, environmental demands) when given case examples.
Participants will describe the four primary functions of behavior and apply function-based reasoning to at least one presented scenario during guided practice or discussion.
Participants will develop one function-based, preventative behavior support strategy aligned to a student case example that includes an antecedent support and a replacement skill.

Speakers

Kelli Spires

Special Education Administrator, Center Grove Community Schools

Kelli Spires is a dedicated education professional serving as the Program Support Teacher for Center Grove Community School Corporation. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education and brings extensive experience supporting students with diverse learning and behavioral needs... Read More →

Erica Bushnell, MA, BCBA, LBA

Center Grove Community Schools

Erica Bushnell is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with 14 years of experience in the field of applied behavior analysis. She specializes in school-based services, supporting students with autism and other developmental differences through practical, data-driven, and collaborative... Read More →

Tuesday September 15, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
502 East Event Centre 502 E Carmel Dr, Carmel, IN 46032, USA

BLV and DHH

INSAIL 2026

Kelli Spires

Erica Bushnell, MA, BCBA, LBA

Attendees (2)

Get help with the event

INSAIL 2026

Kelli Spires

Erica Bushnell, MA, BCBA, LBA

Attendees (2)

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