How school psychologists and behavior analysts work together on the same student

When a school psychologist and a behavior analyst serve the same student, both professions' guidance supports collaboration. NASP asks school psychologists to cooperate with other professionals, define their roles and work within their competence. BACB 2.10 addresses collaboration, resolving conflicts in the client's best interest, and documenting actions and outcomes. A short written plan keeps the team's agreements in one place.

Where the two roles meet

The National Association of School Psychologists' 2020 practice model describes school psychologists who "demonstrate skills related to behavior analysis and use systematic decision making to consider the antecedents, consequences, functions, and potential causes of behavioral difficulties that may impede learning or socialization." It also describes school psychologists who, "in collaboration with other members of an interdisciplinary team, conduct assessments" to determine students' need for services and to inform individual service plans, and who use data to evaluate interventions and decide when to change them.

That is much of a behavior analyst's daily work too, which is why the two so often serve the same student, and why it helps to agree early on who does what.

What each profession's code asks

NASP's Principles for Professional Ethics, Standard III.3.1, ask school psychologists to "cooperate with other psychologists and professionals from other disciplines in relationships based on mutual respect." They "genuinely consider input from nonschool professionals regarding student classification, diagnosis, and appropriate school-based interventions," and "if a child or other client is receiving similar services from another professional, school psychologists promote the coordination of services."

Standard III.2.2 asks school psychologists to "establish clear roles for themselves within those systems while respecting the various roles of colleagues in other professions." Standard II.1.1 asks them to engage "only in practices for which they are qualified" and to "enlist the assistance of other specialists in supervisory, consultative, or referral roles as appropriate."

Standard 2.10 of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board's Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts sets out behavior analysts' collaboration responsibilities: collaborate with colleagues from their own and other professions in the best interest of clients and stakeholders, address conflicts by compromising when possible and always prioritizing the client's best interest, and document their actions and the eventual outcomes.

What to agree on, in writing

A short written plan records eight things: the team and how to reach each person; each professional's role; the shared goals and who leads each one; the methods and the words you both use for the same skill; what data each of you keeps and how often you share it; how and when you meet, with the student as appropriate and the family or guardians taking part; how you raise and resolve a disagreement; and the consent your setting requires, with a date to review the plan.

Our free collaboration plan walks a psychologist, an SLP or an OT and a behavior analyst through those eight parts and prints a plan for your next team meeting. For the rest of the team, read how SLPs and behavior analysts work together and how occupational therapists and behavior analysts work together.

Common questions

Does NASP's ethics code mention working with outside providers like a behavior analyst?

Yes, in general terms. Standard III.3.1 asks school psychologists to genuinely consider input from nonschool professionals regarding student classification, diagnosis and appropriate school-based interventions, and to promote the coordination of services when a student receives similar services from another professional. It does not name behavior analysts specifically.

Who leads a shared behavior goal?

The standards cited here do not assign a lead for a shared goal. Record who leads each shared goal based on each professional's role and competence, and agree how each of you will measure it and share the data.

What should we do when we disagree?

Agree in advance how to raise a disagreement, what information to bring and how to record the outcome. BACB Ethics Code standard 2.10 requires behavior analysts to address conflicts by compromising when possible, always prioritize the client's best interest, and document their actions and the eventual outcomes; NASP's Standard III.3.1 asks school psychologists to work in relationships based on mutual respect.

Sources

National Association of School Psychologists: NASP 2020 Professional Standards, including the Model for Comprehensive and Integrated School Psychological Services (Domains 1, 2 and 4) and the Principles for Professional Ethics (Standards II.1.1, III.2.2 and III.3.1).
Behavior Analyst Certification Board: Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, standard 2.10.