Panel Discussion: Collaboration in Schools is the kind of topic that looks straightforward until it collides with the speed, ambiguity, and competing demands of school teams and classroom routines. In Collaboration in Schools, for this course, the practical stakes show up in clearer roles, fewer duplicated efforts, and better coordinated intervention, not in abstract discussion alone.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Florida Association of Behavior Analysis
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Join Free →Panel Discussion: Collaboration in Schools Moderator: Michelle Castanos, M.S. BCBA Panelists: Paulie Gavoni, BCBA Stephanie Bedner, OT James Dougherty, School Principal Gabriela Duran, ESE Teacher Abstract: In the evolving landscape of special education, collaboration between school personnel and ABA professionals, including RBTs and BCBAs, is more essential than ever. This panel brings together voices from across the school ecosystem, including teachers, administrators, ESE specialists, and therapists, to explore the many layers of working together to support students with unique needs. Through honest dialogue, we will examine the benefits and challenges of integrating ABA in schools, address barriers to effective collaboration, and explore ethical and funding considerations that impact service delivery. Panelists will share firsthand experiences, offer insight into what works and what does not, and highlight key misunderstandings that often create friction. Special attention will be given to defining roles, respecting classroom dynamics during supervision, and building systems that support continuity between clinical and educational environments while honoring both therapeutic goals and academic expectations. This session will provide attendees with practical strategies and meaningful insights to foster stronger, more productive partnerships between ABA teams and school staff.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | General |
| COA | 0 | — |
| FL MH/PSY | 0 | — |
Michelle Castanos is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 19 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in special education from the University of North Florida. Her journey into ABA was inspired by her cousin, Miguel, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 1997. Michelle began her career as a technician in 2004, starting at the age of 18. By 2007, she founded a company offering behavioral-based babysitting services for children with Autism. Over time, this venture has grown into what is today South Florida Behavior, a comprehensive pediatric ABA center with locations in Miami, FL, and Weston, FL. In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Michelle is one of the founders of THRIVE, the first post-secondary college support program for degree-seeking students with ASD in Florida, situated at the University of North Florida. She has also worked on mobile crisis teams and in institutional settings for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and dual diagnoses. Presently, Michelle serves as the President of SOFABA, the South Florida Chapter of FABA. She is also the founder and moderator for the Florida Medicaid ABA Facebook forum and is an elected Member-at-Large on the FABA board, completing her final year of her three-year term.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
256 research articles with practitioner takeaways
205 research articles with practitioner takeaways
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.