The Behavior Code Companion

Jessica Minahan, MEd, BCBA, is a board-certified behavior analyst and special educator. She is Director of Behavioral Services at Neuropsychology & Education Services for Children & Adolescents (NESCA), in Newton, Massachusetts, as well as a behavior consultant to schools nationwide. She also holds an adjunct professor position in the special education department at Boston University.

Jessica has over sixteen years of experience in public school systems supporting students with mental health challenges who exhibit concerning behavior. She has extensive experience supporting students with explosive and unsafe behavior, anxiety, trauma histories, emotional and behavioral disabilities, and high-functioning autism. Jessica specializes in staff training and creating behavior intervention plans and systems that combine a behavioral approach with a deep understanding of the student’s psychological profile.

Jessica holds a BS in intensive special education from Boston University and a dual master’s degree in special education and elementary education from Wheelock College. She has a certificate of graduate study (CGS) in teaching children with autism from the University of Albany and received her behavior analyst training from Northeastern University. A sought-after international public speaker, Jessica has spoken on subjects ranging from effective interventions for students with anxiety to supporting hard-to-reach students in full-inclusion public school settings. She is a blogger for the Huffington Post and the coauthor of The Behavior Code: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Teaching the Most Challenging Students, with Nancy Rappaport (Harvard Education Press, 2012). Her speaking schedule, other publications, and more information are available at www.jessicaminahan.com.