12/3/2023 0 Comments Use your words appropriate![]() ![]() Once the stage is set, you need to prompt communication BEFORE problem behavior occurs. For example, you might put a toy out of reach to encourage your child to ask for If things are not this predictable, you can set the stage for learning. For example, if your child typically wants to go outside after breakfast, plays video games upon his arrival home, or becomes frustrated when asked to do brush his teeth, you can use those as opportunities to teach. If opportunities to teach communication happen naturally throughout the day, and you can “get out in front of them”, that is the best option. This teaching process is often called “functional communication training” and is embedded in a variety of instructional programs. Once we have a good idea of what a child is trying to say through his or her behavior – noting that these messages may be quite different across situations, we can teach them other, more appropriate ways to express those needs. The table below shows different messages, the situations that are likely to prompt communication, and the different things children might be trying to express (i.e., “words” children might say if they could). It is important not just to label the function as attention, tangible, or escape but instead figure out exactly what a child is trying to get or avoid. To figure out these purposes, we pay attention to the situations in which the behavior occurs (and does not occur) and what the child typically receives as a result of the behavior. These purposes might include getting attention, items, or activities, or avoiding, delaying, or getting help in a difficult situation. ![]() ![]() The first step in replacing problem behavior with communication is to determine the likely purpose of a child’s behavior. To effectively support children, we must teach them how to communicate effectively. Parents and other caregivers often respond by trying to fix the situation for the child as in the example above, but that is not a long-term solution. Children want something, or want out of something, but cannot adequately express their needs. The majority of problem behavior children with special needs experience is related to communication challenges. ![]()
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