imitation of undesirable behaviors

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get a child to stop " acting out " (as an

effort to receive attention) by imitating other childrens' negative behaviors

(such as knocking over shelves, hitting etc.)

I have a student who is relatively high functioning, enough to see other

children getting attention (although not positive attention) for similar

behaviors, so she chooses to try it herself. She has gone from being a stellar

student to a huge behavior problem.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

julie

[Guest guest]

Just an idea, but how about putting the other children on extinction for

their negative behaviors? If they aren't getting attention for their

misbehaving, that should remove the model. Even with NT kids en masse, the

quickest way to get a quiet classroom/lunchroom/etc. is to say: " Table 1 is

quiet. ... Table 3 is sitting nicely. ... This side of the

room is all quiet. " etc.

What do you think?

MoSam

> I have a student who is relatively high functioning, enough to see other

children getting attention (although not positive attention) for similar

behaviors, so she chooses to try it herself. She has gone from being a

stellar student to a huge behavior problem.