Handling Severe Behaviors

[Guest guest]

http://www.beachcenter.org/pbs/pbs_at_home/handling_behavior.aspx

Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA). The results from aFunctional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) should lead directly to specific interventions and supports that are designed to address the function of the challenging behavior. Each event related to the challenging behavior (setting events, antecedents and consequences) also needs to be considered carefully, so that interventions are developed that effectively address each element in the A-B-C sequence.Given this example of an A-B-C sequence, the following can be listed as intervention strategies.Change Antecedents. Provide choices and options for scheduling when to do homework. For example, perhaps Arnold can choose a time and place when he would prefer to do his math homework. If he has other homework to do also, perhaps he can choose what order to do his homework in. If the math homework must be done at a particular time, perhaps he could choose which problems to do first, or what/how much he will do before taking a brief break. Even if he doesn't choose the math homework for the first homework activity, his parents can set a time limit for the first activity and encourage him to move to the math homework later. The math homework then becomes a more predictable and manageable activity using this strategy.Change Behaviors. Teach new skills to Arnold to help him handle math homework difficulties. According to the information gathered through the FBA, Arnold doesn't have adequate skills to solve math questions that are likely to come up in homework assignments by himself. When he is faced with difficult tasks, Arnold needs to know who he can go to and ask for help. Arnold can learn how to communicate with his parents by asking for help, instead of engaging in challenging behavior when he gets frustrated and does not know how to do a particular problem.Change Consequences. Use positive reinforcement when Arnold is trying hard to do his math homework. In Arnold's case, the function of the challenging behavior is to escape from doing the math homework. Putting Arnold in time-out just allows Arnold's challenging behavior to accomplish its desired goal. In this case, it is much better to provide positive praise and encouragement when Arnold is successfully engaged in doing his math homework. Changing the antecedents and consequences for his behavior can reduce the challenging behavior. If the challenging behavior occurs again, his parents should interpret it as a message, "I need help!" and sit down with him to help support and help him..