Teacher Prevention Strategies for Challenging Behaviours Belief about challenging behaviour What do you see as acceptable behaviour? What do you see as unacceptable behaviour? Strategies that you use to limit challenging behaviour.

Proactive versus Reactive Most behaviours are “learned” behaviours. Most successful interventions address the behavioural antecedents that occur across people, places and time. Challenging Behaviour often serve a useful purpose for the person. Catching the child doing the “right” thing is far more productive than responding to them after they have made a mistake.

General Strategies Prevent frustrating or anxiety producing situations Frequently interact positively Remain calm Language and consequences should give students a sense of power Don’t over exaggerate praise Provide verbal warning Discuss negative behaviours in private

General Strategies Give responsibility Use non-verbal clues Focus on strengths Continual monitoring and feedback Respect Curriculum changes

Communication Strategies State desired outcome Allow reasonable time for instructions to be processed /carried out Focus on what they should be doing Vary tone and movement Use body language Model instructions, provide examples Use hand gestures / private signals Be supportive rather than threatening Use descriptive praise Question – response – direction

Activity List negative consequences for inappropriate behaviour. Both in the class and for the whole school. List positive consequences for appropriate behaviour. Both in the class and for the whole school.

Positive Consequences Positive contact with parents / careers Verbal and non-verbal reinforcement Take an interest Enthusiastic engagement with student Occasionally joke with students No negative labels or nicknames Give opportunities for responsibility Provide opportunities to share experiences

Implementing Negative Consequences Avoid confrontation. Approach the situation positively and calmly. Ask the student to state what they should be doing. Question-response-direction. Remind the student about behavioural choices and consequences.

In Summary Be consistent Share information Facilitate effective and efficient teaching Encourage consistency across programs, setting and people (Learning Support Teams) Develop a collaborative school culture Working as a team, together we are able to integrate effective strategies.