Specialized Behavior Intervention
Improving Behavior and Quality of Life Through Transformative Care
Formerly known as the Department of Severe Behavior Disorders, the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s Department of Specialized Behavior Intervention works in close partnership with families to support children and adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities who display destructive behavior.
Our approach centers on collaboration from the very beginning. We work alongside the child and caregivers to understand each child’s unique needs, priorities and daily experiences, and to develop meaningful, practical interventions that improve quality of life for the entire family. Services are designed not only to reduce challenging behavior, but to build skills, increase independence and support participation across home, school and community settings.
Severe behavior occurs in approximately 10–15% of children with developmental disabilities and other complex healthcare needs, often creating significant challenges for families and care systems.
Program Focus
We serve children and adolescents (ages 3–21) whose behavior significantly interferes with daily life. Together with caregivers, we identify goals that matter most and implement individualized, function-based treatments that promote safety, learning and long-term success.
Children in our programs may engage in aggression, self-injury, pica, or property destruction that poses risk to themselves, others, or the environment, and that cannot be safely or effectively addressed in less intensive settings.
Impact of Severe Behavior
- Disruptions to learning and development.
- Increased risk of restrictive or institutional care over time.
- Increased risk to the health and safety of the child and others.
- Significant stress and burden on families.
Assessment and Treatment of Severe Behavior
Our approach to severe behavior is grounded in a collaborative, behavior analytic framework that emphasizes understanding the “why” behind behavior to guide effective, individualized care. Through ethical, data-based decision-making, we partner with caregivers to build meaningful skills and support lasting improvements in quality of life.
Treatment Programs
All services begin with a comprehensive evaluation and include active child and family involvement throughout care. Children move between levels of care based on their individual needs.
Getting Started
Our clinic operates Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm.
Appointments are scheduled directly through the Department of Specialized Behavior Intervention. Common referrals include families, physicians, psychiatrists, pediatricians and schools. Contact us at the number below to get started.
Department Mission
The mission of the Specialized Behavior Intervention department is to improve the lives of children exhibiting severe behavior and to advance the science of behavior analysis through excellence in education, research and dissemination.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Care is enhanced through collaboration with a wide range of specialties across MMI (e.g., psychology, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy and physical therapy), as well as ongoing coordination with school districts, community providers and extended family members to ensure consistent, comprehensive support across settings.
Caregiver Collaboration
Caregivers are essential partners in every phase of our program. From assessment through intervention and transition, we provide ongoing coaching and support to ensure strategies are meaningful, feasible and sustainable in daily life.
Patient Resources
We believe that providing resources that are helpful and understandable is equally important to patient care.
You are Welcome Here
MMI is committed to ensuring access to high-quality care for all patients and fostering welcoming spaces for faculty, staff and students to learn and work. We believe that promoting a sense of community positively impacts well-being and cultivates long-term relationships that broaden MMI’s reach and deepen our understanding in the communities we serve.
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