2026 Behavior Post

We are officially in the Fall season - despite hot temperatures all around the Lone Star state. October is a month full of celebrations, beginning with International Coffee Day, 2-weeks of Hispanic Heritage Month, Improve Your Office Day, a month of Domestic Violence Awareness, Breast Cancer Awareness, Down Syndrome Awareness, and Bully Prevention - to name a few. Yes, October is so much more than Halloweeen, customs and candies! (Actually, October 3 is a national No Sugar day.)

Speaking of Halloween, what do we know about the psychology of fear? Here is an interesting brief article on the economics as well as the science behind the benefits of the controlled fear experiences we often engage in - as explained by a psychologist. By the way, if becoming a psychologist or a diagnostician is part of your life-goal, there are some funding opportunities for those working in small/rural school districts in Texas. Check out this TEA opportunity here .

In fact, TEA provides quite a number of free professional development and resources through the Sped Support website. This month we would like to highlight a couple of those:

• Elevating Special Populations Leadership in Districtwide Instructional Systems
• Autism Circuit Academy - Spring registration is open from October 15 - December 15, 2026

This Post offers several learning opportunities, including the free virtual TIER/MTSS Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and the Interconnected Systems Framework Implementation series. We will also have the face-to-face Lighten Up the Learning Brain: The BRAVE Framework: Seven Keys to Reducing Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom in October. Upcoming, our ESC6 Behavior Conference: Skills for Life scheduled for November 9 & 10. We will have 20 sessions by national/state/local speakers on 3 strands: instructional, administrative/legal, mental health/wellness/ESL. All that and lunch for only $60. Don't miss it! Register here.

In addition to sessions and services, this Post is also sharing how to participate in 3 separate graduate research projects - see the Information & Inspiration section below. The University of Texas has a free 6-weeks AAC Pilot for parents of students with Autism, in English and Spanish - check out the Parent Corner near the bottom of this newsletter. Pam Bumpass hosts amazing virtual free sessions for parents, and those are listed there as well.

Lastly, as we work hard on establishing our routines, assessing students, and implementing many initiatives, consider this: Pride wants to win the argument. Peace wants to win the relationship. Choose the one that carries you forward. → What are you willing to let go of to protect your peace? by @DrFancherSpeaks

At ESC6, our choice is to serve you. Let us know how we can support you, your staff, and your students. Be well and fear not. You are not alone.

The PAX Good Behavior Game provides strategies that build students’ behavioral skills and stamina for focused attention and on-task behavior. It also provides teachers classroom management skills.

Please contact Fabiana Bezerra at fbezerra@esc6.net She will conect you with the statewide coordinator who will set up your sessions. The time is now to schedule for your school or your district. You can also attend for yourself. Check the demonstration video below the flyer.

The Autism Circuit Academy (ACA) endorsement programs are comprehensive professional development designed to help Texas educators acquire and effectively implement evidence-based practices (EBPs) for teaching students with autism. The training is free for educators across Texas who are employees of a local education agency.

Program Benefits

The Autism Circuit Academy is committed to building district capacity by increasing the number of educators in the state who are skilled in the implementation of EBPs. Through our virtual professional learning community format, participants can easily communicate with each other by asking questions, seeking and providing feedback, and uploading implementation artifacts. Our staff provides rapid and ready assistance and continuous modeling throughout the duration of the program.

Coaching Support Included

This training includes a coaching component delivered by experts at each regional education service center to help educators apply what they’ve learned with confidence and fidelity. Coaching provides personalized, job‑embedded support grounded in four research‑based practices proven to strengthen instruction: alliance-building, observation, modeling, and performance feedback.

Educators and coaches complete a three‑step coaching cycle—pre‑observation, observation, and performance feedback—to reinforce training content and improve implementation. Coaching is designed to fit flexibly into your existing schedule and enhance your work, not add to it.

For more information and registration, check out the TEA website link.

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

If you are searching for MTSS courses, click here for the current list of asynchronous free virtual sessions. Let us know if you would like to visit on any of the topics. We have a team of trainers at the ESC6.

See upcoming training opportunities on our Events page and register today!

• School Behavioral Threat Assessment Training Series
• Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Students – Elementary
• Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Students – Secondary
• Mitigating Educator Maltreatment
• Staying Safe: School Safety Response Training
• Standard Response Protocol Train-the-Trainer
• Standard Reunification Method Train-the-Trainer
• Bullying and Cyberbullying Training
• Digital Threat Assessment
• Especially Safe: An Inclusive Approach to Safety Preparedness in Education Settings
• Restorative Practices for Educators
• Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators – Elementary
• Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators – Secondary
• Sandy Hook Promise – Start with Hello
• Sandy Hook Promise – Say Something
• Effective Investigations and Report Writing
• School-Based Law Enforcement Trainings
• Advanced Digital Threat Assessment Training
• Texas School Safety Conference
• Say What! Action Summits
• Say What! Conference

The Sam Houston Autism Research and Education (SHARE) Workshop Series is now recruiting teachers to participate in professional development on Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis.

If you choose to participate, you will be asked to do the following:

1. Attend an informational session over Zoom [pick one: 8/11 from 4:00-4:30 or 8/14 from 12:00-12:30]. During this brief meeting, we will review the consent form and discuss expectations and questions. If you are unable to attend, recordings can be emailed to you.

• To register for a virtual information session, contact Dr. Babino at mme003@shsu.edu

1. Participate in 5 workshop sessions (choose real-time or self-paced format):

Option 1: Self-Paced: Workshop modules are available in a flexible, self-paced format.

• Participants will watch pre-recorded videos and engage in individual reflection exercises.

• Self-paced workshop sessions will be available from 9/08-12/20 (extension may be available upon request).
  
  

Option 2: Real-Time Zoom: A 90-minute Zoom session will be held live over 10 weeks (every other week).

• During the workshops, participants will attend an interactive presentation and engage in discussion.

• Real-time workshop sessions for Fall 2026 will be held on either Saturdays or Mondays

Saturdays 11:00-12:30

Zoom # 1 9/12

Zoom # 2 9/26

Zoom # 3 10/10

Zoom # 4 10/24

Zoom # 5 11/5

OR

Mondays 3:30-5:00

Zoom # 1 9/14

Zoom # 2 9/28

Zoom # 3 10/12

Zoom # 4 10/26

Zoom # 5 11/9

Option 3: Face-to-Face workshop: the content is combined into a two-day workshop series.

• During the workshops, participants will attend an interactive presentation and engage in discussion. There will be opportunities to roleplay, receive feedback, and ask questions.

• The location of this series is: Region 1 ESC, located at 1900 W Schunior St, Edinburg, TX 78541

• This will be a two-day workshop (you must attend both days), 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 pm

• Space is limited.
  
  

1. Regardless of the formats selected, participants will be administered a variety of assessments in a timely manner: Prior to and following the workshop sessions, participants will complete a series of written and video activities and assessments to evaluate the efficacy of the SHARE Workshop Series.

2. (Optional) Receive mentorship from a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA): Up to 5 educators per term can volunteer for on-site or virtual observations from a BCBA. Educators will meet individually with a BCBA for no more than one hour for up to five weeks. Observations will serve the purpose of providing feedback on the educator’s behavior and their implementation of one or more of the learned skills from the workshop series.

   
   

Participants who complete the SHARE Workshop Series may be eligible for a monetary stipend ($300) and certificate of completion following completion. Continuing professional education credits may also be available with additional requirements.

Best,

Misti M. Babino Ed. D., BCBA, LBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). School of Teaching and Learning

Sam Houston State University

mme003@shsu.edu

Please find the updated Special Education Back-to-School Update for October 2026 linked below.

Updated Sections:

• When an ARD committee determines that short-term objectives/benchmarks are required, at least two objectives/benchmarks must be included for each annual goal. Each objective/benchmark must include a timeframe, condition, behavior, and criterion, along with distinct measures for progress monitoring.

• The graphic next to §89.1075, GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND LOCAL DISTRICT PROCEDURES, was revised to say 90 calendar days.

Same link as before: https://tea.texas.gov/special-populations-and-support/special-education/back-to-school-updates-2026.pdf

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The Question & Answer Document: Individualized Education Program (IEP) Measurable Annual Goals has been updated to reflect the amended Texas Administrative Code (19 TAC §89.1055) and is now live on Texas SPED Support. The revised document features a new front cover, is identified as Revised October 2026, and incorporates the updated TAC requirements throughout the guidance.

The Texas SPED Support page remains the same, so your existing bookmark should continue to direct you to the current version.

Additionally, several recent rule amendments that are directly related to the SB IEP process went into effect on October 4, 2026—particularly §89.1050, The Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee, and §89.1055, Individualized Education Program. Please review the rules in their entirety.

Suzanne Jones, PhD

Evaluation, ARD Support, and Literacy Specialist

Region 6 Education Service Center

3332 Montgomery Road

Huntsville, TX 77340

936-435-8246

936-435 8468 (Fax)

sjones@esc6.net

Greetings, I hope this email finds you well and having a splendid day. Region 6 ESC’s McKinney-Vento Program is excited to proudly present its first-ever in-person professional learning event dedicated to Supporting Highly Mobile Students!

We invite school district staff, community partners, and all professionals who serve highly mobile student populations to join us for a FREE, full-day professional learning experience. This event will focus on strengthening support for students experiencing homelessness, students in foster care, and military-connected students.

Participants will receive practical guidance, helpful tools, valuable resources, and effective strategies for addressing barriers and supporting student success.

Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Location: Region 6 Education Service Center
3332 Montgomery Road
Huntsville, Texas 77340

The day will feature keynote speaker Serenity Hubert Vega and guest speakers Dr. Ann H. Lê, TEA Deputy Program Management Director, and Jennifer Hiembach, DFPS Education Specialist.

There is no cost to attend. To register, scan the QR code or visit the Region 6 ESC Homepage and search for Session #581029.

Please assist me in sharing this opportunity with staff and community partners in your districts and organizations who serve and support highly mobile students. For additional information or assistance, please contact me at aarchuleta@esc6.net or 936-435-8228.

Three of his nine sessions are designed specifically for campus administrators, as well as special education directors and educational leaders who support special education services. If you are an ARD Chair/Facilitator, you are a leader and will find these three sessions beneficial.

• September 30th: Beginning-of-the-Year ARDs, Transfer ARDs, and the Do's and Don'ts

• October 28th: The Role of the Campus Administrator at the ARD Meeting

• January 27th: MDRs and Discipline

The other sessions will cover current hot topics in special education. All sessions will be virtual from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. You must register for each session separately.

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Mental Health and Wellness webinar series, which provides timely guidance, practical strategies, and resources for school leaders, counselors, mental health professionals, educators, and student support staff. The series will highlight approaches that support comprehensive school mental health systems, student wellness, family engagement, and connections to community-based resources. Each webinar will be from 10:00 am-11:30 am CST.

MHW Webinar Series #2:
Thursday, November 12, 2026: Registration

MHW Webinar Series #3:
Thursday, March 4, 2027: Registration

MHW Webinar Series #4:
Thursday, May 13, 2027: Registration

I am writing to request your help with an IRB-approved study examining the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) among school psychology professionals in the United States.

The purpose of this survey is to better understand how AI tools are currently being used in school psychology practice, including areas such as report writing, communication, summaries, recommendations, disclosure, privacy, informed consent, policy guidance, and training needs. You do not need to currently use AI in your work to participate.

The survey is confidential, voluntary, and should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. You may skip any questions you prefer not to answer and may exit the survey at any time. After completing the survey, you may choose to enter a drawing for one of four $50 Amazon gift cards. Contact information for the drawing will be collected separately from survey responses.

Follow this link to participate in the survey: https://kent.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d5z1FmqTtDEPiLQ?recruit_source=nasp

Thank you in advance for your time and valuable insights.

Sincerely,
Adam Lockwood, Ph.D., NCSP, LP
Associate Professor, School Psychology Program
Kent State University
Email: alockwo2@kent.edu
Phone: 330-672-3374

The above email has been sent by NASP on behalf of the researchers. This study has been approved by the NASP Research Committee and you have been selected for possible participation. Participation is optional, and your NASP membership will not be impacted in any way if you decide not to participate. NASP has not, and will not, share your email address with the researchers or other members. NASP does not take responsibility for your experience with participating in the research study. If you have a question about participating in research at NASP please contact the NASP Research Director. If you have questions about this study please contact the researchers using their email address found above.

Suicide prevention has many layers. Here are just a few in JED's multifaceted approach:

Mental Health Resource Center: This hub of essential information about common emotional health issues guides teens and young adults through the ups and downs of the transition to adulthood.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support right now, text, call, or chat 988, or text HOME (or HOLA) to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.

Find more information and resources at jedfoundation.org/help.

A young person’s guide for communicating safely online about suicide

When the world feels uncertain, young people look to us for steadiness. That can be a lot to carry, especially when we are navigating hard times ourselves.

Join us for the next Ask the Expert session, Holding Space: Supporting Your Family Through Challenging Times, with Dr. Duncan.

Thursday, Oct. 8 · 6:30–7:30 pm ET · Live on Zoom

This session is for parents, caregivers, and family members. Rooted in trauma-informed and healing-centered practice, it offers relational and practical strategies to help young people feel seen, supported, and safe. You'll learn to:

• Recognize signs of stress and trauma in young people's behavior and emotions
• Build safety, stability, and emotional regulation at home
• Practice co-regulation and supportive communication in challenging moments

Click here to Save My Spot

With gratitude,
The Steve Fund

Free Monthly Virtual Support Groups

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

While it’s not uncommon for young kids to wet the bed or have accidents during the day, it can cause a lot of shame, especially when they don’t seem to be growing out of it. If the problem persists, as in, it’s happening more than occasionally after a child’s fifth birthday, it can be a sign of a disorder called enuresis. For a child with enuresis, urinating (voluntarily or involuntarily) at inappropriate times or places can be caused by different things, but treatment never involves punishment or shaming.

This week, we’re offering resources on enuresis and other toileting challenges. When kids can’t control their bladder or bowels (a disorder called encopresis), it can be frustrating for the whole family. But the good news is, both disorders are very treatable. Understanding what’s causing the problem is a key step: For example, kids may be too anxious to go to the bathroom at school and hold it until it’s too late. Others, like kids with ADHD, may struggle to transition from doing something interesting or fun to sitting on a toilet — yes, even when they really have to go. And kids with autism can have sensory sensitivities around pooping, causing constipation or abdominal pain that’s not always easy to identify. These accidents can be profoundly embarrassing for kids, so we have advice on how to help them cope with their feelings as they learn to listen to and gain better control of their bodies.

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