Behaviors can arise when the child is trying to obtain something through problem behavior. Here are a few examples of behavioral interventions.
• When the child seeks to obtain adult attention, feedback, or help:
Directly teach routines and expectations for accessing the adult.
Make sure tasks and activities match the child’s current ability.
Directly teach steps for solving problems, in order to promote independence.
• When the child seeks to obtain peer attention or social interaction with peers:
Directly teach relevant social interaction skills, practice in context, & give positive reinforcement when skills are used.
Teach about accepting and including others, and review these expectations frequently.
Teach words and strategies to use if others are trying to get their attention in an unwelcome way.
Behaviors can arise when the child is trying to escape or avoid something. Here are a few examples of behavioral interventions.
• When the child avoids situations, activities or work:
Teach appropriate ways to ask for a break or activity change or ways to break down the task.
• When the child avoids unpleasant sensory or physiological sensations:
Provide ear plugs or ear phones if needed to block out auditory stimulation.
Give advance warning of fire alarms and loud noises.
Let the child choose “time away” instead of escaping through problem behavior.
Teach about diverse abilities/needs; promote acceptance of others.
In my private practice I teach parents and teachers the difference between "attention" and "connection". Many kids are trying to get "connection" and that is not as simple as attention. We are so busy and distracted as adults these days we unknowingly go days without really listening to our kids. Believe me, they end up doing all sorts of bizarre things to get us to be present with them.I can teach you how to use that "connection" time where you let them lead as a reward for them eliminating the undesired attention and before you know it, you are the reward and they are working for time with you in a productive, appropriate way. Call me for a consultation!
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
How do I address Behavior in the IEP?
Behavior is identified as how people act, function, and/or react in a particular situation. Children can have behaviors related to their disability that are considered inappropriate. When behaviors interfere with the child’s or others’ ability to learn, a functional behavioral assessment can be used to examine the behavior(s) and develop a behavior intervention plan to manage, replace, reduce or eliminate the behavior(s). Children can be taught appropriate behavior skills once behaviors are analyzed and understood.
Step One
Once an inappropriate behavior or behaviors, have been identified by the teacher, parent, or Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team, a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) can be conducted.
•When describing the behavior use descriptive words like kicking, hitting with hands, screaming, or throwing book.
•If there are multiple concerns it is important to prioritize which behavior should be targeted first.
Step Two
Begin gathering data about the behavior.
•When does it occur?
•Where does it occur?
•What happened immediately before and after the behavior?
•What happens after the behavior occurs?
•What has worked to prevent the behavior?
•What has worked to reduce the behavior?
•How do others, including adults, respond?
Step Three
The Team will analyze the information collected about the behavior.
•Is there a pattern of when or where the behaviors occur?
•Is there a consistent trigger to the behavior?
•What is reinforcing the behavior?
•What is the function of the behavior?
Function refers to a consequence that has reinforced or strengthened a behavior; it’s why a child continues to engage in the behavior. An event that occurs after a behavior and increases the chance that the behavior will occur again is a consequence. Not all conse- quences are negative corrective actions. Typically, the function of the behavior will fall in to one of two categories: either it helps the child gain something or it helps the child avoid something. It is very important to be accurate in identifying the function to prevent implementing an intervention that inadvertently makes the situation worse.
Step Four
The IEP Team then develops a behavior intervention plan (BIP) based on the conclusions drawn from the analyzed information. Behavior plans describe what adults will do to manage the behavior.
•Prevent – avoid or change the antecedents (triggers) so that the problem behavior is less likely to occur.
•Teach – a new behavior to replace the problem behavior. Replacement behaviors should serve the same function as the inappropriate behavior but, ideally, cannot be done at the same time as the targeted behavior.
•Extinguish – do not allow the problem behavior to be reinforced so that it weakens over time.
•Reinforce – the new replacement behavior so that it strengthens over time.
Step Five
Record data to monitor progress; there are a variety of forms available to document and track data to determine how well the plan is working. As new data is collected it may be necessary
for the IEP Team to modify the behavior intervention plan.
Step One
Once an inappropriate behavior or behaviors, have been identified by the teacher, parent, or Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team, a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) can be conducted.
•When describing the behavior use descriptive words like kicking, hitting with hands, screaming, or throwing book.
•If there are multiple concerns it is important to prioritize which behavior should be targeted first.
Step Two
Begin gathering data about the behavior.
•When does it occur?
•Where does it occur?
•What happened immediately before and after the behavior?
•What happens after the behavior occurs?
•What has worked to prevent the behavior?
•What has worked to reduce the behavior?
•How do others, including adults, respond?
Step Three
The Team will analyze the information collected about the behavior.
•Is there a pattern of when or where the behaviors occur?
•Is there a consistent trigger to the behavior?
•What is reinforcing the behavior?
•What is the function of the behavior?
Function refers to a consequence that has reinforced or strengthened a behavior; it’s why a child continues to engage in the behavior. An event that occurs after a behavior and increases the chance that the behavior will occur again is a consequence. Not all conse- quences are negative corrective actions. Typically, the function of the behavior will fall in to one of two categories: either it helps the child gain something or it helps the child avoid something. It is very important to be accurate in identifying the function to prevent implementing an intervention that inadvertently makes the situation worse.
Step Four
The IEP Team then develops a behavior intervention plan (BIP) based on the conclusions drawn from the analyzed information. Behavior plans describe what adults will do to manage the behavior.
•Prevent – avoid or change the antecedents (triggers) so that the problem behavior is less likely to occur.
•Teach – a new behavior to replace the problem behavior. Replacement behaviors should serve the same function as the inappropriate behavior but, ideally, cannot be done at the same time as the targeted behavior.
•Extinguish – do not allow the problem behavior to be reinforced so that it weakens over time.
•Reinforce – the new replacement behavior so that it strengthens over time.
Step Five
Record data to monitor progress; there are a variety of forms available to document and track data to determine how well the plan is working. As new data is collected it may be necessary
for the IEP Team to modify the behavior intervention plan.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Where can I get a list of Free APPS?
Cool Timer – this helps for kids who need timers, etc stays on desktop
Natural Reader- text to speech reader
Tar Heel reader- accessible books
Bubble Organizer- free information & graphic organizer like Kidspiration
Help Kidz Learn – free games
Tumble Book- books that are read out loud w/pics
My study bar- keep kids on task
Eye jot- generates and sends video emails for those who can’t write
Pocket Mod- turns an 8X10 piece of paper into pocket size
Camera Mouse- mouse that works with head
Vocaroo- Voice messages for email
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
What are the Federal Laws for Service Animals?
Service Dogs Welcome!
Laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities who have service animals
The federal civil rights law, the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA, Title III, 28 Code of Federal Regulations, sect. 36.104), defines a service animal as any animal that is individually trained to help a person with a disability (the disability might not be visible). By law, a service animal is not considered a pet. Most service animals are dogs; they can be any breed or size, and are not legally required to wear special equipment or tags. It is prohibited by law to require proof or “certification ”of the service dog’s training. Service animals can do mobility, hearing, guide, seizure alert, emotional support and other work needed by the person because of a disability.
Federal (e.g., ADA 28 CFR Sect. 38.302) and state laws protect the rights of individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by their trained service animals in taxis, buses, trains, stores, restaurants, doctors’ offices, schools, parks, housing and other public places. Federal laws which protect individuals with disabilities include the ADA; the Fair Housing Amendments Act (1988); Sect 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973); The Air Carrier Access Act (1986/90), and other regulations.
State and local laws* which protect the rights of individuals who have disabilities to be accompanied by their service animals are (fill in the code numbers of the laws that apply):
*NOTE: If federal and state or local law conflict, the law which is less restrictive for the individual with the disability will prevail. For example, if state law grants access only by service dogs that do guide work, and the service dog in question performs work other than guide work, federal law will apply. The person with the disability must be permitted access with the service dog.
The person who is accompanied by the service animal is responsible for its stewardship (behavior, care and well-being), must obey animal welfare laws (such as leash, cruelty or other similar regulations), and is liable for any damage done by the service animal.
About the ADA, contact the U.S. Department of Justice ADA Information Line 800-514-0301 (V); 800-514-0383 (TDD)
About state and local laws, contact the State Attorney General’s Office
Laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities who have service animals
The federal civil rights law, the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA, Title III, 28 Code of Federal Regulations, sect. 36.104), defines a service animal as any animal that is individually trained to help a person with a disability (the disability might not be visible). By law, a service animal is not considered a pet. Most service animals are dogs; they can be any breed or size, and are not legally required to wear special equipment or tags. It is prohibited by law to require proof or “certification ”of the service dog’s training. Service animals can do mobility, hearing, guide, seizure alert, emotional support and other work needed by the person because of a disability.
Federal (e.g., ADA 28 CFR Sect. 38.302) and state laws protect the rights of individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by their trained service animals in taxis, buses, trains, stores, restaurants, doctors’ offices, schools, parks, housing and other public places. Federal laws which protect individuals with disabilities include the ADA; the Fair Housing Amendments Act (1988); Sect 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973); The Air Carrier Access Act (1986/90), and other regulations.
State and local laws* which protect the rights of individuals who have disabilities to be accompanied by their service animals are (fill in the code numbers of the laws that apply):
*NOTE: If federal and state or local law conflict, the law which is less restrictive for the individual with the disability will prevail. For example, if state law grants access only by service dogs that do guide work, and the service dog in question performs work other than guide work, federal law will apply. The person with the disability must be permitted access with the service dog.
The person who is accompanied by the service animal is responsible for its stewardship (behavior, care and well-being), must obey animal welfare laws (such as leash, cruelty or other similar regulations), and is liable for any damage done by the service animal.
About the ADA, contact the U.S. Department of Justice ADA Information Line 800-514-0301 (V); 800-514-0383 (TDD)
About state and local laws, contact the State Attorney General’s Office
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