Special Educators Resource Room

116. When an IEP Isn’t the Answer: Supporting Gen Ed Teachers with Behavior Challenges

Ever had a general education teacher refer a student for an IEP, hoping for a classroom aide or a removal—but deep down, you knew that wasn’t likely to happen? 🙋‍♀️

In this episode, I’m sharing a real-life scenario where a gen ed teacher was struggling with a student’s behavior and looking for a quick fix. Instead of just saying “no” to the IEP request, I took a proactive approach to support BOTH the student and the teacher—without adding extra work to my plate.

You’ll learn:
✅ How I used an ABC recording form to track behavior patterns
✅ The simple frequency tracker I gave the teacher (and why she loved it)
✅ How a social story and positive attention shifted the student’s behavior
✅ What the real outcome looked like (ups, downs, and progress—not perfection)
✅ Key takeaways to use in your own classroom when behavior challenges arise

🎙 Mentioned in this episode:

  • The ABC recording form for behavior tracking
  • Simple data collection strategies that don’t overwhelm teachers
  • Social stories and why they work for student behavior (hint: tune in next week for a deep dive!)

💡 Want to make data collection feel easier?
Check out these ready-to-use behavior trackers and intervention tools 👉 ABC Data Tracking Form

➡ Don’t forget to subscribe & leave a review! Your feedback helps reach more special educators who need support.


If you're a busy special education teacher looking for tips, tricks, and resources to save you precious time, I've got you covered! I'm here to help you regain your confidence in the classroom and feel calm and collected as a special educator.

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