Welcome to my first blog post! I’m Dr. Laura Forkum, a BCBA-D, LBA, and behavior change coach for parents and schools. For over 16 years, I’ve worked alongside families, educators, and children to make meaningful changes in behavior that reduce challenges, build skills, foster independence, and enrich relationships.
As a clinician and a coach, I aim to empower parents and school staff with the tools and strategies they need to address challenging behaviors head-on. Whether you’re a parent navigating the complexities of raising a child on the autism spectrum or a teacher seeking to enhance classroom engagement, I’m here to support you in creating environments that are not just compliant but thriving.
The Behavior Change Coaching Approach
The behavior change journey starts with understanding the “why” behind behaviors. As a coach, I work with families and schools to identify these underlying factors and guide them in creating individualized behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and functional behavior assessments (FBAs) that meet the child’s needs and state standards.
My approach is holistic and collaborative. It’s not about a one-size-fits-all solution but tailoring practical, achievable, and sustainable strategies. From communication challenges to academic engagement, I believe in addressing the root causes rather than merely putting bandaids on the problems.
Building Capacity, One School at a Time
Over the years, I’ve observed a common challenge in schools—the overwhelming nature of managing behavior. Teachers often feel unequipped to handle complex behavioral needs, especially in inclusive classrooms. That’s where I come in. As part of my work with schools, I provide training that builds capacity. Through hands-on workshops, personalized coaching, and real-time feedback, I support teachers in creating FBAs and BIPs that genuinely work in the classroom.
Our goal is simple: to integrate behavioral strategies into every teacher’s toolkit so that they can focus on what they do best—teaching.
Coaching Parents: A Partner in Times of Need
Parenting is hard, especially when your child has unique behavioral needs. As a Behavior Change Coach, I work closely with parents to help them understand their child’s behavior and to implement positive behavior supports that work in everyday life. This can involve everything from developing structured routines to teaching adaptive skills that reduce frustration and enhance the quality of life for the entire family.
One of the most rewarding parts of this work is witnessing the transformation—not just in children’s behavior but also in the confidence of parents who feel empowered and equipped to help their children thrive.
Why I’m Here
This blog is a space where I’ll share insights, strategies, and success stories from the field of behavior change. I hope that it becomes a resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of behavior and how to effectively support positive change—whether in the home, the classroom, or the community.
In future posts, we’ll dive into practical tips on managing challenging behaviors, creating effective FBAs and BIPs, fostering emotional regulation, and much more. Whether you’re a parent or a school professional, I’m excited to join you on this journey toward positive behavior change.
Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to sharing more with you soon!
Warmly,
Dr. Laura Forkum, BCBA-D, LBA
Behavior Change Coach for Parents and Schools