Challenging Behavior: "Challenging behaviors (or problem behaviors) result in self-injury, injury to others, cause damage to the physical environment and/or interfere with the acquisition of new skills, and/or socially isolate the learner" (Doss & Reichle, 1991).

The Best Form of DISCIPLINE IS ALWAYS PREVENTATIVE

Creating an Environment that is Proactive: Prevention is easier than finding a cure

Placement - Look at appropriate placement options. Sometimes an environment or situation can be too stressful for a child.

Curriculum - The unwritten curriculum involves the consisten use of appropriate social skills. A child with poor social skills will not be easily accepted by his/her peers.

Materials - Select materials, which encourage interaction and lessen the possibility of the child's reacting in a negative manner.

Keep rules simple.

Make consequences natural and be consistent.

Keys to Success:

  • Create a physical environment that promotes interaction.
  • Establish rules that guide behavior.
  • Provide materials that encourage persistence and attention.
  • Develop a routine that establishes transitions and routines.
  • Be flexible!

Deciding When to Use a Communicative Replacement

When a teacher chooses to replace the challenging behavior with a communicative alternative, there must be general agreement that the function of the behavior was acceptable but the form used to achieve the outcome is unacceptable.

If the teacher chooses to teach a communicative replacement, he/she must ensure that the communicative replacemetn serves the same function as the challenging behavior. When replacing socially motivated challenging behaviors with communicative alternatives, the teacher must decide whether the child's communicative function will be reinforced.

Books that Support Social Competence & Positive Behavior

We are Best Friends by Aliki

A Day's Work by Eve Bunting

Good Thing You're Not an Octopus by Julie Markes

Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles

Contributed by Clarissa Willis, Ph.D.  Dr. Willis has worked for the past 20 years on behalf of children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. She is the author of five books including the award-winning titles Teaching Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Inclusive Literacy Lessons for Early Childhood. Her articles on child development and early childhood special education have been published both nationally and internationally. Formerly an Associate Professor of Special Education and the Associate Director of the Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Learning and Development at East Tennessee State University, she currently works as an early childhood consultant and frequent speaker at national and international conferences. Dr. Willis lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.