Generalization of Behavioral Intervention Strategies in the Home and School Settings

Understanding Behavior Behavior is any response that is observable and measurable. Behavior is what a child does; not who a child is. Behavior can be decreased and increased through reinforcement and punishment.

Reinforcement Reinforcement: behavior that results in a preferred outcome is more likely to occur in the future Examples: Baby cries Child tells joke Parent gives bottle People laugh at joke Tendency to cry increases Tendency to tell jokes increases

Punishment Punishment: behavior that results in an undesired outcome is less likely to occur in the future Examples: Person speeds Receive a speeding ticket Tendency to speed decreases Person touches hot object Hurts hand Tendency to touch the object decreases

Why Challenging Behavior Happens Children engage in challenging behavior in order to gain access to something. The four functions of behavior are: – Attention – Escape – Access to items or activities – Sensory Stimulation

Examples of Behavior Change Strategies Used in the School Setting Activity Schedules Reinforcement Systems – Some with punishment component

Activity Schedule Example

Token Economy Example

How to Generalize Strategies in the Home and Community Setting Activity Schedules and Token Economies can be made at home. – Parents can create/print paper copies or write out on paper – Many applications are available if your child has access to technology.

Activity Schedule Example

Parent-Made Activity Schedule

Token Economy Sample

Parent-Made Token Economy

Generalization Strategies can be generalized across settings. Using systems that children have been successful with in the past can promote successful behavior in new settings.