2025 Behavior Post

Are you enjoying the weather now? Colder temperatures make me happy to go outside and enjoy the beautiful sights around. I believe we are finally entering Fall in our region. What a lovely season!

November is often associated with Veterans' Day and Thanksgiving. But there is much more to this month. Among them, the National Native American Heritage Month is particularly important to many of us. Do you know how many different tribes lived in Texas? Professionally, I would like to recognize National School Psychology Week. Think creatively about how to show appreciation to your school psych. In fact, practice and promote gratitude towards all the many amazing people in your life, and thank a Veteran today.

On November 11 & 12 we are hosting our first ESC6 Behavior Conference: Pathways to Positive Outcomes. We have a number of fabulous speakers and 3 content strands for school leaders, campus behavior coordinators, instructional/teaching, and mental health support staff. We will serve lunch and snacks, and the price is a bargain. Yet please do not let the cost prevent you from attending. Contact fbezerra@esc6.net if you need some assistance. You can't miss it! Register today.

This Post is full of learning opportunities, resources, and inspiration. As Chief Seattle said: "Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect."

We hope to connect in meaningful ways, and we are gratefully here for you.

• November is National Veterans and Military Families Appreciation (NVMFA) Month—a time to honor the service and sacrifices of veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.
  • TEA is proud to provide the NVMFA toolkit to help schools, educators, and communities across our state join in honoring military-connected students and families.

For a full list of events and registration details, please visit the 2025–26 Military Events Calendar (PDF).

All Texas educators may access these courses for free on the TEALearn website and earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours.

This session is free, virtual, and open to anyone-educators, parents, advocates, or concerned community members who want to stay informed and proactive.

Date: Monday, November 2
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Registration: https://ecampus.esc13.net/show_class_info.html?classid=54869

Please feel free to share with your networks and colleagues. Thank you!

Presenter:

Sgt. Amy Gonzales

Office of the Texas Attorney General

Criminal Investigations Division

Child Exploitation Unit

Southern Texas ICAC Task Force

Office (512) 936-0689

Amy.Gonzales@oag.texas.gov

In today's educational climate, teachers and school staff are facing unprecedented challenges with student aggression. Understanding the root causes of this behavior and learning effective strategies to manage it are crucial for ensuring a safe and productive learning environment.

This workshop offers a unique opportunity to delve into these critical issues alongside seasoned professionals and illuminates the psychological and environmental factors contributing to youth aggression.

Learn actionable techniques for de-escalating crisis moments. Discover cutting-edge tools to transform your approach to handling aggressive behaviors. From communication tactics to behavior modification plans, you’ll be equipped with a comprehensive toolkit.

Sign Up Now

A Hybrid Online and On-Demand Training

• Access to the on-demand modules is available now

• Watch the on-demand content at your own convenience

• Join a live webinar on Thursday, November 6th at 10AM CT for more content, discussion, resources, and support. (Participants may also watch the recording of the webinar if they cannot join live.)

• Registrants enjoy access to all content through December 31st

Whether you watched the course or not, everyone is welcome to join and benefit from this FREE Q&A.

Can’t make it to the live event? Register now and you’ll get access to watch the recording as soon as it’s available.

• 11/3 - Chapter 37 and MDRs
• 12/8 - Interventions Through the Tiers
• 1/12 - Coaching Behavior Management
• 2/90 - Restorative Training Through a Trauma-Informed Lens

OCALICONLINE 2025 – Snapshot

FREE Training on Suicide Assessment and Brief Interventions to Maintain Safety

DEC 5, 2025 | 12pm - 2pm (Eastern)

This training is a 2-hour live interactive training which will include a brief review of the risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide, detailed information on how to conceptualize client risk and undertake a practical suicide assessment, and a review of two evidence-based brief interventions (safety planning and lethal means counseling) to maintain client "safety for now." The primary goal of the training is to provide clinicians with clear, practical guidance so that any time a client expresses thoughts of suicide, you feel confident and prepared to assess the risk and support your client in maintaining safety. The assessment presented is based on the model used by the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

For more information or to register, click on the link above or HERE

Please pass this on to anyone you feel would be interested in attending.

Thx!

Gillian Murphy, Ph.D.

Psychotherapy Services

594 Broadway, Suite 907

New York, NY 10012

347.306.8262 | www.gillianmurphycbt.com

Get ready to recharge your skills and rethink the future of special ed!

Join us for a deep dive into the current issues that are re-shaping special education—how AI is changing evaluations and reports; how to turn piles of data into clear, defensible decisions; and how to tackle the growing wave of anxiety for both students and educators.

This isn’t just another workshop—it’s a chance to get real, share honest conversations, and walk away with strategies you can use the very next day.

Sign Up Now

Workshop Agenda

Ethical & Legal Implications of AI in Evaluations and Reports

Almost 80% of diagnosticians and school psychologists currently use AI in their professional practice, and there is much disagreement in the validity of using AI for test interpretation and the ethics of using it for report writing. Honest conversations are needed regarding how AI is integrated into assessment systems and report writing systems. This session will discuss the various components of using AI within the practice of special education evaluation.

Interpreting & Integrating Multi-Sourced Data into Legally Defensible Reports

Special education evaluation personnel have recently been guided by TEA regarding expectations for the use of integrating and interpreting multiple sources of various types of data into IDEA eligibility determinations. Additionally, there are heightened expectations for how that information is communicated within the FIE. This session will focus on streamlining and producing a sound decision-making process that results in a well-written FIE.

Beyond Accommodations: Strategies to Transform Anxiety into Resilience in the IEP and the Workplace

National data reports the continuing rise of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide post-Covid, particularly in the special education population as students with disabilities often experience anxiety and depression. This session will focus on the importance of simplifying accommodations and implementing strategies to increase academic progress and support student IEPs. Participants will learn how to reframe and reapply simple strategies for more positive results in student well-being and academic success. Additionally, these strategies are beneficial for workplace-related anxiety, self-reflection, and improving communication amongst special education staff. Students aren’t the only ones suffering from anxiety! These strategies are also intended to help staff as they work to help students.

This session is free of charge and provides 4 CEs for licensed mental health professionals, in addition to standard 4 professional development credit for educators.

We’ve partnered with Texas A&M University to host these sessions through our Title IV, Part A Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant. Two training dates are available this year and details are listed below:

Training Overview
• Presenter: Dr. Ninfa Peña-Purcell, Research Scientist and Project Grant Lead for Texas A&M’s Think Smart Opioid Misuse Prevention Curriculum
• About the Curriculum:
– Funded by the State of Texas and designed to align with Tucker’s Law
– Requires SHAC approval (proposal template available for schools)
– K–5 student curriculum releases Spring 2026; current version serves grades 6–12
– TEKS-aligned focus on life skills and prevention of vaping, alcohol, and illicit fentanyl use

• Upcoming No-Cost Instructor Training at Region 13:
– March 2: [Register here]

Contacts
• For curriculum details: Dr. Ninfa Peña-Purcell: ncpurcell@tamu.edu
• For Region 13 training information: Nanette Deaton: nanette.deaton@esc13.txed.net

An overview of the training is attached. The sessions will be led by the Texas A&M TOPS (Texas Opioid Prevention for Students) team

National School Psychology Week
National School Psychology Week (NSPW) is November 3–7! This year’s theme, “Finding Your Path,” reflects the ways that school psychologists help students, families, and school communities set and achieve their goals. You should have received this year’s poster in the September Communiqué. You can also purchase additional posters and NSPW stickers in the NASP Store! Order yours now to help spread the word in your school or community.

NSPW will be here before you know it, so be sure to visit the NASP website to learn more about the theme and find helpful resources to start planning how you’ll engage and raise awareness, including social media graphics, adaptable press releases, and tailored guidance for graduate programs.

NASP members also have exclusive access to these additional resources to ensure you can successfully bring this celebratory week to your community such as:

• NSPW Planning Checklist: This resource helps break down your NSPW planning into a step-by-step process with a clear timeline to help you stay organized.
• Suggested Activities: Whether you’re bringing NSPW to a classroom, the whole school, or participating yourself, these optional activities provide fun and engaging ways to celebrate.
• State Association Resource Guide: This handbook is filled with best practices and recommendations to help state school psychology associations engage their members, raise awareness of the role of school psychologists, and advance advocacy goals in their state.

A highlight of NSPW each year is Advocacy Action Day! On Wednesday, November 5, NASP will hold its NSPW Virtual Hill Day so you can contact elected officials and create a growing awareness for the needs of children and youth in our schools.

What creative ideas do you have for the week? Share your plans on social media and you might just inspire some colleagues across the country to take action as well. Tag @nasponline and use #SchoolPsychWeek.

Standards-based Individualized Education Program Process Training

Participants may take the updated Standards-Based Individualized Education Program (SB IEP) Process Training in person beginning in October 2025, by finding a trainer at their regional ESC.

The intent of this training is to provide participants with an understanding of the SB IEP process for gathering student data, including the full individual and initial evaluation (FIIE), developing the student’s present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP) statement, drafting measurable annual goals with short-term objectives/benchmarks, if appropriate, determining what specially designed instruction is needed, and creating a data collection system for monitoring progress on the annual goals.

This course is approved for 12 hours of continuing education credit by the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA). TSHA approval does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures. Instructions for claiming TSHA continuing education credit will be provided at the end of this course.

Curious About MTSS? Start Here!

If you're interested in learning more about Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), the MTSS Introduction Module is the perfect starting point. This module includes 6 foundational training pathways designed to support effective implementation of the MTSS framework.

There are two flexible ways to complete these courses:

• Join a Live Training: Connect with an MTSS specialist in your region to participate in a synchronous training session. You can find contact details by visiting View Trainers by Region.
• Learn at Your Own Pace: Prefer self-paced learning? Simply click View Course to enroll in the asynchronous version and complete the training on your own schedule.

Whether you're new to MTSS or looking to strengthen your understanding, this module offers a solid foundation to build on.

Native American tribes who originally inhabited the Texas region, including the meaning of their names and their history.

1. Apache

• Meaning of the Name: Generally believed to derive from the Pueblo-Zuni word "Apachu," meaning "enemy." However, the Apache people call themselves "Inde," "Tinde," or "Tinneh," all meaning "the people."

• History and Culture:

• Originally from the north, they migrated to the American Southwest and Plains regions between the 12th and 16th centuries.

• They were nomadic hunter-gatherers, roaming vast territories to hunt buffalo and forage for food.

• After acquiring horses from the Spanish in the 17th century, they became a powerful mounted nation. The Lipan Apache were prominent in the Texas region.

2. Comanche

• Meaning of the Name: Derived from a Ute word meaning "anyone who wants to fight me all the time." The people refer to themselves as "Nʉmʉnʉʉ" (NUH-MUH-NUH), meaning "The People."

• History and Culture:

• Dominated the Southern Plains of Texas in the 18th and 19th centuries and were known as the "Lords of the Plains."

• They were originally part of the Shoshone tribe from Wyoming and moved south.

• They were exceptionally skilled at breeding and using horses, and their horseback fighting ability was unique and unmatched by other tribes of the time.

• Buffalo products were the core of their economy and way of life.

3. Kiowa

• Meaning of the Name: Derived from "Ka'I gwu" or "Ka'I gua" in their own language, meaning "principal people" or "leading people."

• History and Culture:

• Originally from western Montana, they migrated to the Yellowstone River and Black Hills, becoming skilled horsemen and buffalo hunters.

• They gradually moved south into the northern Texas and Oklahoma regions in the early 18th century.

• They were known for unique cultural practices like their Sun Dance ceremony.

• They had a prestigious warrior society known as the "Principal Dogs" or "Ten Bravest."

4. Jumano and Eastern Pueblos

Meaning of the Name: The term "Jumano" referred to at least three distinct groups in the Southwest and Southern Plains between 1500 and 1700. They were called "rayado" (striped or marked people) due to the distinctive horizontal striped patterns tattooed or painted on their faces.

• History and Culture:

• They were primarily buffalo hunters and traders, playing a crucial role as middlemen between the Spanish colonies and various Indigenous groups.

• Their main territory was in Central Texas, between the lower Pecos River and the Colorado River.

• "Eastern Pueblos" may refer to people living in villages like the "Humanas pueblos" in eastern New Mexico, with whom the Jumano were associated.

5. Coahuilteco and Carrizo Tribes

• Meaning of the Name:

• Coahuilteco: Not an original name for a single tribe, but an umbrella term created by Mexican linguists to group many bands and clans speaking various dialects in Northern Mexico and South Texas.

• Carrizo: A Spanish word meaning "reed," applied to many Coahuiltecan groups along the Rio Grande. (For example, the Comecrudo tribe, whose Spanish name means "eats raw meat," was also called Carrizo).

• History and Culture:

• They were nomadic hunter-gatherers who lived along the Rio Grande and throughout South Texas.

• They established villages near rivers and water sources.

• Due to disease and conflict with European settlers, their population was decimated. Many sought refuge in Spanish missions, where they adopted European farming techniques.

6. Karankawa

• Meaning of the Name: Generally believed to mean "dog-lovers" or "dog-raisers" in their own language, as they were known to keep dogs described as a fox-like or coyote-like breed.

• History and Culture:

• A coastal people who lived along the Texas Coast from Galveston Island to south of Corpus Christi.

• Their encounter with the Spanish explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca in 1528 marks the earliest recorded contact between Europeans and the First Peoples of Texas.

• They were nomadic, using dugout canoes to travel the shallow coastal waterways.

• They were known for tattooing their bodies.

7. Tonkawa

• Meaning of the Name: Comes from the Waco language, meaning "they all stay together." They called themselves "Titska Watitch," which means "the most human of people."

• History and Culture:

• A nomadic hunting tribe originally from eastern and central Texas and Oklahoma, hunting buffalo, deer, and other game.

• They lived in about 20 independent wandering bands.

• Historically, they were often at war with neighboring tribes like the Apache and Comanche.

• They faced forced relocations and population decline due to violence in the 19th century.

8. Bidai

• Meaning of the Name: A Caddo word for "brushwood," named after the local geography along Bedias Creek where they lived. They referred to themselves as "Quasmigdo."

• History and Culture:

• Settled in East Texas, between the Brazos and Neches Rivers.

• Some historical records suggest they may be one of the oldest tribes in Texas.

• They practiced agriculture (maize), hunting (bison, deer), and fishing.

• They were allied with Caddo and Atakapan tribes.

9. Caddo

• Meaning of the Name: Derived from the French abbreviation of "Kadohadacho," a Caddo word meaning "real chief" or "real Caddo."

• History and Culture:

• A confederacy of about 25 affiliated groups centered around the Red River in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

• They were sedentary agriculturalists, focusing on farming.

• They developed complex social and political systems, centered around the construction and use of earthen temple and burial mounds.

• Their leadership hierarchy included the xinesi (spiritual leader), caddi (principal headman), and canahas (subordinate headmen). The name of the state, Texas, comes from the Caddo word taysha, meaning "friend" or "ally."

10. Wichita

• Meaning of the Name: The origin is unknown, but they called themselves "Kitikiti'sh," meaning "the people" or "the preeminent people." French traders called them "Pani Piqué" (Tattooed Pawnee), referring to their distinctive tattoos.

• History and Culture:

• A confederacy of subtribes (including Taovaya, Tawakoni, Waco, and Kichai) who mainly lived in Northern Texas and South-Central Kansas.

• They combined agriculture (corn, beans) with hunting (buffalo, deer).

• They lived in distinctive conical, haystack-shaped houses made of grass and matting.

• Their society was matrilocal (married couples lived with the wife's family) and matrilineal (descent was traced through the mother's line).

11. Tawakoni & Kitsai

• Tawakoni:

• Meaning of the Name: Believed to mean "river bend among red sand hills." The French also referred to them as "Three Canes."

• History: A Caddoan tribe and member of the Wichita Confederacy, they settled along the Brazos and Trinity Rivers in Texas in the 18th century. They shared similar agricultural and housing methods with the Wichita.

• Kitsai:

• A subtribe of the Wichita Confederacy. Notably, the Kitsai were the only group within the Wichita Confederacy to speak a distinct Caddoan language.

Note : Most descendants of these historic Texas tribes were forcibly relocated to reservations, primarily in Oklahoma, during the 19th century. However, as noted in the follow-up, three federally recognized tribes and numerous descendants of the original tribes continue to reside in Texas today.

Credit - Facebook Texas History UM - with AI assistance

Tier 1 Tidbits! This short, practical Region 10 podcast that I host supports Tier 1 instruction in academics and behavior, and each episode is only 2–3 minutes long.

The newest episode, Episode #5: Soft Starts, focuses on helping students ease into the day, build a positive start, and head off bigger challenges later. New episodes are released every Wednesday via Google Drive and Instagram (@Region10ESC). This is an ongoing project, adding new Tier 1 ideas each week.

This project grew out of my own MTSS work at Region 10, and I would love help from my fellow MTSS leaders across the state to share it widely. I’m also hoping to partner with others to trade ideas, highlight great Tier 1 practices across the state, and ensure the content reflects what campuses need most.

Sign up for weekly updates here: bit.ly/Tier1Tidbits-SignUp

I wanted to share an important legislative update from the recent Texas session. House Bill 1188 now requires school districts to provide parents of students identified with an intellectual disability or autism information about the services and public benefits available through their Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA). This notification must occur at the first ARD/IEP meeting in which the student is determined eligible. The intent of this legislation is to ensure families are informed early about available community supports and Medicaid waiver programs, as waitlists for some of these services can extend up to 15 years. Early awareness allows families to begin the application process sooner and access needed supports when they become available.

For more information, visit the Texas Health and Human Services page on Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authorities (LIDDAs) at https://www.hhs.texas.gov/LIDDA.

Thank you for all the work that you do to support our students. We hope you to see you in Sugar Land!

Sincerely,

María del Carmen Needham, MS
NASP Delegate - TX

The 89th Texas Legislature appropriated funds for a new LEA Autism Grant. Here is what we know so far:

• Open to districts and open-enrollment charter schools.

• Competition to run early spring 2026.

• $20M available across the biennium. $10M each fiscal year.

• There will be a maximum award amount per grantee. No minimum award amount. This is still to be posted on the TSS page.

• Grants will be for school years 26-27 and 27-28.

• Collaborations across multiple districts and/or open enrollment charters will be prioritized.

• All grant information and updates, including the application link, will be housed here (no longer on the old ESC 13 webpage): https://spedsupport.tea.texas.gov/opportunities/grant/2026-2028-innovative-services-students-autism-grant

Some more technical pieces -

• Funding comes from Rider 13(f)(5) in the General Appropriations Act. The enrolled version of the bill can be found here: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1

• There is no longer an authorizing statute tied to this funding. Previously was TEC 29.026.

• There is no longer mention of technology or interactive technology in the rider.

There is more information to come. This is the information I currently have available, and I am sharing it with you so that those interested in applying can begin gathering the necessary materials. I will update as more information becomes available.

Thanks,

Amber Naylor M.Ed, BCBA, LBA

Autism Specialist

anaylor@esc6.net

Region 6 Education Service Center

Here are some websites that can assist you:

• Search Grants | Grants.gov
• Behavioral Health Services Grants | Texas Health and Human Services
• Grants for Birth to Grade 12 | U.S. Department of Education
• Opportunities & Awards | Current Funding Opportunities | Office of Justice Programs
• SAMHSA Grants Dashboard | SAMHSA
• Home | Grants.gov
• Simpler.Grants.gov
• Search Funding Opportunities | Simpler.Grants.gov
• Welcome | The Grantsmanship Center
• Texas Grant Resources | The Grantsmanship Center
• Mental Health Grants in Texas, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth - GrantWatch
• Grants - Private Foundation Grants
• Find Grants for Nonprofits | Foundation Directory | Candid

Free Monthly Virtual Support Groups

The contacts are below for questions or information until we start again.

Parent Support Group - Second Tuesday of the month

addaoffice@pdq.net

Adult Support Group - Third or Fourth Thursday of the month

addaoffice@pdq.net

Fort Bend Parent Support Group - Last Tuesday of the month

ftbendaddasr@gmail.com

In Person Meeting

MESQUITE – Every other month,

2nd Tuesdays, 7-8 pm, Sept., Nov., Feb., April.

Professional Development Center,

3819 Towne Crossing Blvd, Mesquite, 75150

Kelly Smith, 972 882-7519, kesmith@mesquiteisd.org

Hold on a sec☝️ — Before you judge your child's "disrespectful" behavior— Pause for a moment and consider:
What 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 like your child being disrespectful...
Might actually be anxiety speaking in silence. 😶‍🌫️

Some kids freeze when they’re overwhelmed.❄️
Some shut down. 🚪
Some disappear into themselves.🌪️
Some just walk away.🚶‍♂️

But what do adults often see?
👉 “Defiance”
👉 “Disrespect”
👉 “Rude.”
👉 “Noncompliance.”

But guess what? We might be missing what's truly going on underneath it all.

𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 — 𝗡𝗢 (to the Nth degree!)— 𝗮𝗻𝘅𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 as tears or trembling hands.😢🤲. Sometimes, it shows up as behaviors...that can easily be mistaken for disrespect.

💡 And as parents and educators, it’s our job to respond with curiosity and compassion—to shift the lens from judgment to understanding.

Instead of asking 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥?
Ask: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩?

📸 Check out the infographic to see 3 common behaviors that might look like disrespect—but actually may just be anxiety underneath.

Know a teacher or parent who needs to see this? Tag them below — let’s start changing how we understand our kids. 💬💙

Dr. Erika Westreich

hashtag#AnxietyInKids hashtag#NotDisrespect hashtag#ParentingWithCompassion hashtag#UnderstandingBehavior hashtag#MentalHealthAwareness hashtag#CopingStrategies

The newly revised page for military families from the Center for Parent Information and Resources contains valuable resources to support military families through changes in duty stations and other challenges.

Fabiana Bezerra, LSSP, NCSP

ESC 6 Behavior & Autism Specialist for Special Education

Email: fbezerra@esc6.net
Website: https://www.esc6.net/
Location: Education Service Center Region 6, Montgomery Road, Huntsville, TX, USA
Phone: 936-435-8252
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESC6SPED/
Twitter: @escregion6