Behavior Support Services

TERI has a 30+ year history of success supporting children and adults who have severe behavioral needs. In our agency culture, we understand that problem behavior is a form of communication, and we invest all of our effort in determining what someone is trying to tell us through their behavior and to teach them new and better ways to make their wants and needs known.

We also understand that problem behavior typically occurs for one or more of the following three reasons: The individual wants to get something; they want to avoid something; or they gain sensory stimulation through the behavior. Once we know what is causing the behavior to occur, we use positive behavioral supports to try to replace the behavior with more functional and socially appropriate skills. Our Behavior Specialists are BCBAs (Board Certified Behavior Analysts), or are in the process of attaining their certification. They are highly experienced and qualified to support individuals who have significant and severe behavioral needs.

All of the TERI programs have access to behavior support services. In addition, our Behavior Support Services team offers private pay and/or Regional Center funded consultation, assessment, training, and intervention services to families, school districts and care providers. We also conduct transition assessments and functional skills assessments for school districts and families who need this information to plan appropriate goals and to select programs that meet the unique needs of the individual. Finally, our behavior specialists provide supervision hours to students who are pursuing their ABA certification.

Director of Behavioral Support Services

Jeff Horn, MA, BCBA is a board certified behavior analyst with over 20 years experience in the field. Jeff has been with TERI throughout this time and is the Director of our Behavior Support Services, coordinating the needs of all those who attend TERI, providing assessment and consultation services, working with families in their homes to solve behaviorally based problems, and participating in our research initiatives directed at better understanding how to support individuals with intensive behavioral needs.

If you would like more information about TERI’s Behavior Support Services, please contact the Director, Jeff Horn, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call him at
760-721-1706.