Applied behavior analysis (ABA) continues to play an important role in advancing effective and practical supports in schools. This session will consolidate findings from a series of research projects addressing school-based strategies across the three tiers of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). At Tier 1, we will review strategies for arranging classroom environments to promote engagement and prevent challenging behavior, including the use of classroom observation tools and modifications to seating arrangements. At Tier 2, we will examine evidence for self-monitoring interventions for students with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, highlighting ways to build independence and academic productivity. At Tier 3, we will explore research on the use of trial-based functional analyses (TBFAs) in school settings, with recommendations for efficient assessment and intervention design. In addition, the presentation will feature applied research on the Good Behavior Game and its impact on classroom climate, as well as practical considerations for integrating ABA practices within existing school systems.

Participants will gain an integrated perspective on how behavior analytic assessment and intervention can be embedded across tiers of support, along with specific recommendations for practice. Through synthesis of research studies and ongoing projects, attendees will leave with strategies to improve classroom management, increase student success, and enhance collaboration with educators within multi-tiered systems of support.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify evidence-based strategies for arranging classroom environments to support positive student outcomes.
2. Describe the use of self-monitoring interventions to support students with ADHD and autism in school contexts.
3. Discuss ways the Good Behavior Game and other Tier 1 strategies can be integrated into PBIS frameworks.

About the Presenter

Audrey N. Hoffmann

Audrey N. Hoffmann, PhD, BCBA-D, is an assistant professor in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling at Utah State University and co-director of Behavior Support Services at the Sorenson Center for Clinical Excellence. She is a licensed behavior analyst whose work spans school-based ABA, organizational behavior management (OBM), and training staff, parents, and teachers to implement behavior analytic practices. Her research interests also extend to behavioral gerontology and building competence in ABA applications for Alzheimer’s and dementia services, as well as the role of technology and reinforcement in shaping behavior. As director of the Research-to-Practice Lab at USU, Dr. Hoffmann brings her passion for mentoring students and applied research to the forefront, working to connect science with practice so it makes a meaningful difference for schools, families, and communities. Outside of work, she stays busy with her three children and loves recharging through time outdoors and at live music events.