SMS Consultation (513) Detecting the truth behind “bad” behavior Intervening when young children misbehave Presented by Seena M. Skelton Ph.D. School Psychologist

SMS Consultation (513) Agenda Introductions What we know about behavior Detecting the truth behind “bad” behavior Beginning our detective work Making a plan to address behavior Practicing what we have learned Wrap up

SMS Consultation (513) What we know about behavior We use behavior to communicate a need or a want All behavior serves a function or purpose Most behaviors are learned We can teach behavior

SMS Consultation (513) Starting with a rich learning environment Organized learning space Age appropriate materials Sufficient materials for children to use Established rules and routines Predictable and signaled transitions Positive adult-child interactions Appropriate praise for appropriate behavior

SMS Consultation (513) Detecting the truth behind “Bad” Behavior “ Before we can work to change “bad” behavior, we must first determine the function that behavior serves. We must become detectives ”

SMS Consultation (513) A Good Detective Asks the right questions Questions the right people Examines all aspects of the situation Use appropriate tools for gathering information Based on the information gathered draws a hypothesis Tests the hypothesis If wrong, gather more information

SMS Consultation (513) Five Important Questions to Ask What is the problem? What function does the behavior serve; why is the problem occurring? What is the goal for changing the behavior? What are we going to do to teach or help the child demonstrate the new behavior? Did our plan work?

SMS Consultation (513) What is the behavior? What are all of our concerns? (List them out) What is the most important behavior for us to change right now? What does the behavior look/sound like (Describe the behavior in specific and observable term) What do we want to see happening instead?

SMS Consultation (513) Why is the behavior occurring? What is happening in the environment right before the behavior occurs? What is happening in the environment right after the behavior occurs? How frequently is the behavior occurring? When is it most likely to occur? When does the behavior not occur?

SMS Consultation (513) Have we seen the child demonstrate the appropriate desired behavior before? If so, what was happening in the environment when the child demonstrated the appropriate desired behavior. What function does the behavior serve?

SMS Consultation (513) What is our goal for this child? What do we want the child to learn how to do instead of exhibiting the problematic behavior? When do we want him/her to have learned this new behavior?

SMS Consultation (513) How are we going to teach the new behavior? What are we going to do to help the child learn/demonstrate the new behavior? How will we document the child’s behavior? Who’s going to do what? When? How? Did we write the plan down? Did everyone who needs a copy of the plan get a copy? When will we get back together to follow up?

SMS Consultation (513) Did the plan to change behavior work? Did we do what we planned to do? Did our plan work effectively? How do we know? Do we need to keep our plan in place or do we need to change it? Can we discontinue the plan? Is there another concern we need to address?

SMS Consultation (513) Questioning & including the right people Involve all those who are relevant to the child’s behavior in school.

SMS Consultation (513) Involving relevant stakeholders Parent or family member Head/lead teacher Assist/Co- teacher Specialist Health/Nutrition Supervisor others

SMS Consultation (513) Examine all aspects of the situation Child Curriculum/ Instruction Environment Child Environment Curriculum/ Instruction

SMS Consultation (513) Use the right tools for gathering information Observations Interviews Charts/graphs Keeping Records

SMS Consultation (513) What’s Our Hypothesis Based on the information gathered What function do we think the behavior serves?

SMS Consultation (513) Developing a plan A plan should describe: Who Will do what strategy When (time & how often) How we will monitor child’s progress (who will monitoring, how, & when)

SMS Consultation (513) Main Points Behavior serves a function. Determining the function of a “bad” behavior is key to intervening Those most relevant to the child’s learning should work together to address problems Asking the right questions will lead to the appropriate answers Examine all aspects of a child’s learning: the child, the curriculum, & the environment Write down your plan