Behavioral Management Aide
Behavioral management is a discipline that works to change people’s behavior. In the case of a behavioral management aide, the primary focus is on children although there can be an adult corollary such as within the justice system. Behavior management utilizes a variety of tactics to help the client change undesirable behaviors.
In the case of children, this can be within a school setting to minimize classroom disruption, attain helpful study habits and higher test scores. Alternately, in private practice this can take the form of helping children to minimize or eliminate tantrums or violent behaviors.
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This process is achieved by the following:
- assessing the client and finding out what behaviors are dysfunctional
- discussing alternate behavioral patterns with teachers or family
- create a behavioral training plan
- making sure the relevant stakeholders are able to align their interests with the plan
Behavioral management aides are extremely helpful to the educational system, children and families. By helping children, teachers and parents to recognize dysfunctional behaviors, understand their root causes and outline new behavioral goals. This process begins with an assessment that is carried out by the behavioral management aide. The client is observed within their home or school for a number of weeks.
When dysfunctional behavior arises the behavioral aide makes a note of the behavior itself and any precursor conditions to the problematic behavior. The aide focuses on the consequential mood and behaviors of the child after the dysfunctional behavior has ceased. Working with a Behavior Management Specialist, the aide helps identify what the goal or function of the problem behavior was.
By identifying what the child is attempting to achieve, the behavioral aide can help to create a program to assist the child in expressing their need in a healthier manner. Behaviors are prioritized based on the severity of the dysfunctional behaviors. A program is then developed that has interventions for identified behaviors with ongoing data collection to determine the efficacy of interventions.
The impact of a behavioral management aide on an individual can be huge. By helping the child to healthy express their needs the reduction in stress, negative behaviors and consequences, the behavioral management aide provides a life changing experience for the child.
For the child, a whole new world can open up where they are able to interact with adults an peers in a new and healthy way that ensures their needs are met and that they are behaving in a responsible manner. The benefits of this will almost certainly carry over into adulthood getting them back on track for success, health and well being.
Benefits to families and schools include:
- More peaceful and harmonious family life
- Child is able to concentrate on studies
- Teacher sees reduction in stress levels
- Classmates see reduction in stress levels
- Classroom environment more conducive for learning
Behavioral Management Aide College Requirements
To become a behavioral management aide one needs to have at least an Associate’s degree in behavioral studies or a related field. Most positions require a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences. Some positions may also require CPR training.
The median pay for a behavioral management aide is: $48,520 (Bachelor’s in Social Sciences usually required).
The fast track to a career as a behavioral management aide is to enroll in a Social Sciences program at a quality university near you. In addition, to this training in CPR and bilingual or multilingual fluency is highly desired. Check out these educational opportunities near you to get started on your career as a behavioral management aide.
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Behavioral Management Aide reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2023.