Behavior strategies
"Imagine
going to work and not being
able to do your job. Now imagine that
you can't leave your job. Imagine
having to do that every day. This is what
life is like for children with (learning)
disabilities.”
-- Dr. David Urion Director, Neurology and Learning Disabilities
Program,Children's Hospital, Boston
Strategies to deal with behavior
problems BEFORE they happen
• Modify work (manageable chunks)
• Increase proximity
• Provide frequent reinforcement
• Offer choices (give the student some control)
• State/re-state rules expectations before every activity
• Adjust classroom arrangement to discourage “problem areas.”
• Teach entire class to self-regulate and take breaks when needed.
Model this frequently for your students.
Strategies to deal with behavior
problems WHILE they are happening
• Stay calm! Stop, take a deep breath and slow things down.
• Take time to think about your response (your response can
escalate a student. We can control what we say/do. Many of out
students can not/do not.
• Remember we can NEVER force someone to do something. All we
can do is encourage someone to make the right choice.
• Distract/re-direct
• Use humor
• Don't take it personally
When seeking compliance:
o
Approach student privately and use a quiet voice/calm
tone
o
Establish eye contact (be at students’ level)
o
Compliment first (specific effective praise)
o
State the command in the positive. (Do statement rather
than don’t statement.)
o
Use clear, concise and concrete language.
Providing correction:
o
Make the request
o
Repeat the request as a 2-part choice.
(“I need you to do your work. Would you like to use a
pencil or a pen?”)
o
Offer a face saving out.
o
State consequence (as a choice)
(I need you to do your work. You can either do it
now with the class or ____insert consequence.)
o
Follow through with consequence
o
MOVE ON. (No need to dwell on the direction that was not
followed.)
Avoid power struggles by:
• Make sure your body language matches what you are
saying.
• Use a matter of fact voice tone.
• Do not argue/ have lengthy talks in front of the class. Walk
away.
• Do not try to force or coerce the student to comply. This
includes reprimands, staring down, standing watch, making
self bigger, putting hands on.
• Make sure your consequence is fair.
• Limit demands when a student is already escalated.
Think about it:
Take a few minutes to talk with your group.
 Are any of these strategies new to you?
 Have you tried any of these strategies?
 Have they worked?
 What have you tried that has not worked?
 Do you think you can use these strategies?