Individualized Supports for Students with Problem Behaviors : Designing Positive Behavior Plans

Linda M. Bambara, EdD, is Professor Emerita and former Program Director of Special Education at Lehigh University. Her expertise in developmental disabilities spans over 40 years, and includes research in the areas of social communication, self-determination, and self-management interventions, as well as positive behavior support for individuals’ challenging behaviors. While at Lehigh University, she directed two university-based service programs for transition-age youth and adults with developmental disabilities. A former editor-in-chief of Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, Dr. Bambara has served on the editorial boards of five academic journals; is author of numerous articles, chapters, and books; and has served on the national boards of the disability advocacy organization TASH and the Association for Positive Behavior Support.

Lee Kern, PhD, is Professor of Special Education, Director of the Center for Promoting Research to Practice, and Director of Autism Services at Lehigh University. She has worked in the field of special education since the 1980s as a classroom teacher, behavior specialist, consultant, and faculty member. Her research interests focus on severe challenging behavior, functional assessment, and curricular interventions, primarily with individuals with social, emotional, and behavioral needs. She has published numerous articles and book chapters in these areas. Her research on strategies to address children’s behavioral challenges has been supported by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute of Mental Health. Dr. Kern is past coeditor of the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions and serves on the editorial boards of seven education journals.