What causes challenging behavior and what can we do about it?

Does your child’s behavior at school interfere with their learning or their classmates’ learning? What can you do about it? One thing you can do is ask your school to perform a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and implement a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) for your child. The FBA is the process of determining the cause of behavior before developing an intervention. The BIP is based on the results of the FBA and includes positive supports and strategies that will change a child’s behavior. The supports and strategies should be included in your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan. For more information, see Functional Behavioral Assessments: What, Why, When, Where, and Who?

Seeking the help of a behavior specialist

Angela Pulleyn , Behavior Specialist, offers the following insights: Families should seek the help of a behavior specialist when there is a behavior that impacts a child’s ability to access their education, their ability to behave appropriately in the environment, or that affects others in the home or school. When working with me, parents can expect to first have a conversation so I can learn as much as I can about the child, their family dynamic, and what the presenting problem is. From there, we would look at school records, any past behavioral records, IEPs, and psychologist’s reports (if any). We would talk to school professionals if possible. All of this helps me to understand the whole child. That will be followed up with an observation. In all of this information-gathering, we are really trying to understand what the function of the behavior is. If we don’t know what the function is, then we can’t appropriately treat it. All of this information goes into determining the next best step. Before doing an FBA and BIP, there are many other behavioral strategies and interventions we can try such as cognitive reinforcement plans and social stories to address the needs of the child and to determine the next best step. In addition, an FBA is a process that can take a few months, so in the meantime, we can try other strategies.

“The reality is that well-behaved students aren’t behaving themselves because of the school discipline program. They’re behaving themselves because they have the skills to handle life’s challenges in an adaptive fashion.” ― Ross W. Greene, author of Lost at School: Why Our Kids with Behavioral Challenges are Falling Through the Cracks and How We Can Help Them

Behavior is a form of communication

Kathy Giordano , Education Specialist, Tourette Association of America, offers her thoughts on challenging behaviors: Behaviors which are thought to be attention-seeking, purposefully disruptive or disrespectful can in reality be your child’s attempt at communicating needs which are not being met. This is particularly true when your child is expected to perform in a manner for which they lack the necessary skills. For example, refusal to complete work may be unrecognized dysgraphia, executive function deficits, processing delays, or obsessive-compulsive difficulties. We also may see “behavior issues” resulting from boredom, sensory integration deficits, attention deficit, or anxiety. Instead of assuming that your child is misbehaving, we need to be curious as to when and why the challenging behaviors occur. Only then are we able to help your child develop the necessary strategies that will reduce frustration and challenging behaviors. Punishment does not teach. Being curious and working with children to develop skills/strategies helps prepare them to be productive, independent adults.  Kathy recommends the following resources: www.livesinthebalance.org and www.understood.org

Tools you can use to help your child regulate and manage their emotions

The Zones of Regulation offer 4 zones in which a child or adult can learn to identify what they are feeling and what they can do about it. Learn more at http://www.zonesofregulation.com/learn-more-about-the-zones.html The Incredible 5-Point Scale features number ratings that gauge emotions and offer behavior management. Learn more at https://www.autismclassroomresources.com/the-incredible-5-point-scale-review-and/

Additional resources

A 5 Is Against the Law! Social Boundaries: Straight Up! An Honest Guide for Teens and Young Adults , by Kari Dunn Buron Lost at School: Why Our Kids with Behavioral Challenges are Falling Through the Cracks and How We Can Help Them , by Ross W. Greene The Explosive Child , by Ross W. Greene If your child is facing discipline or suspension due to behavioral challenges, see Starbridge’s archived webinar: Discipline and Suspension: Understanding the Rights of Students with Disabilities

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