The following are the definitions of Spaulding Youth Center’s minor and major problem
behaviors. Students at Spaulding might display three types of behaviors as follows:
 Pre minor problem behaviors – This is problem behavior that is to such a minor
degree that it is redirectable and occurs 3 times or less. Such pre minor behaviors
are normally not recorded on an ODR form.
 Minor problem behaviors – Problem behaviors listed in the below minor
definitions that are repetitive and not responding to redirection. In other words,
the minor behavior must occur more than three times in a short period of time
and be non-redirectable.
 Major problem behaviors – Major problem behaviors as defined below.
Minor Problem
Behaviors
Definition
Inappropriate verbal
language
Repetitive, not
responding to
redirection, low
intensity instance
of inappropriate
language,
(including minor
peer and adult
insults).
Physical contact
Repetitive, not
responding to
redirection, nonaggressive, nonsexual
inappropriate
physical contact,
including
horseplay.
Defiance/disrespect/non- Repetitive, not
compliance
responding to
redirection, brief
or low intensity
failure to
respond to adult
requests,
including minor
lying and OAAs.
Disruption
Property Misuse
Harassment
Repetitive, not
responding to
redirection, lowintensity, but
inappropriate
disruption.
Repetitive, not
responding to
redirection, lowintensity misuse,
including petty
theft or
sexualized use,
of property.
Repetitive, not
responding to
redirection,
Teaching
Opportunities
“Can you find a
better way to say
that?”
Possible
Consequences
Loss of Privilege
Partial Restriction
from Activity
Praise for all
positive language
choices.
Communicate
personal
boundaries.
Loss of Privilege
Partial Restriction
from Activity
Praise for
appropriate
personal
boundaries.
Pre-cue for all
transitions and
tasks.
Loss of Privilege
Partial Restriction
from Activity
Offer and explain
choices and
consequences.
Detention
Allow time for
processing (1-2
min)
Communicate
how and why
something is
disruptive.
Loss of Privilege
Seek input from
peers.
Communicate
more appropriate
way to use
property.
“How would you
feel if your own
property was
being treated that
way?”
Communicate
how harassing
behavior makes
Partial Restriction
from activity
Detention
Loss of Privilege
Partial Restriction
from activity
Loss of Privilege
Partial Restriction
Major Problem Behaviors
Abusive language/inappropriate
language/profanity
Self injurious behavior (SIB)
Definition
Verbal
messages,
including
swearing and
name calling
that are
directed
towards others
or are of an
intense,
profane nature.
Causing
substantial
physical harm
to one self.
Teaching
Possible
Opportunities Consequences
“Can you find a
better way to say
that?”
Teach “I”
Messages.
Praise for all
positive
language
choices.
Teach
appropriate
anger
management,
communication
and/or coping
skills.
Praise when the
above is used.
False alarm
Contraband
Delivering a
message of
possible
emergency
when no such
emergency
exists.
Possession of
materials or
substances not
permitted on
campus.
Defiance/disrespect/insubordination/non- Intense refusal
compliance
to follow
directions,
talking back
Communicate
the effects on
other people for
false alarms.
Teach basic
safety
procedures.
Communicate
why a material is
restricted from
campus.
Discuss reasons
why the student
has the material.
Pre-cue for all
transitions and
tasks.
Loss of Privilege
Partial
Restriction from
Activity.
Detention.
Off-level.
Staff-directed
Participation.
Restriction from
activity.
Staff-directed
participation.
Individualized
instruction.
Off- Level (when
appropriate)
Restriction from
activity.
Off-level
Off-Level
(Safety watch
when
appropriate)
Off-level
Restriction from
Activity
Staff-directed
and/or socially
rude
interactions
which can take
staff away
from their
responsibilities.
Disruption
Fighting/physical aggression
Behavior
causing an
interruption in
a class or
activity.
Disruption
includes major
tantrums;
substantial,
sustained loud
talk, yelling, or
screaming;
noise with
materials;
horseplay or
roughhousing;
and/or
sustained outof-seat
behavior.
Actions
involving
serious
physical
contact where
injury may
occur (e.g.,
hitting,
punching,
hitting with an
object, kicking,
hair pulling,
scratching,
biting, spitting,
etc.)
Offer and
explain choices
and
consequences.
Allow time for
processing (1-2
min)
Give time to
process.
Provide
opportunities for
sensory input.
Communicate
how and why
something is
disruptive. (when
calm)
Participation
Detention
Individual
Instruction
Loss of Privilege
Off-level
Restriction from
Activity
Staff-directed
Participation
Detention
Individual
Instruction
Loss of Privilege
Restitution
Seek input from
peers.
Teach
appropriate
anger
management,
communication
and/or coping
skills.
Offer and
explain choices
and
consequences.
Provide
alternative
opportunities for
physical activity
and sensory
Off-level
Restriction from
Activity
Staff-directed
Participation
Detention
Individual
Instruction
Loss of Privilege
(safety watch
when
appropriate)
Restitution
Possible Police
Involvement
input.
Forgery/theft
Harassment/tease/taunt
Student is in
possession of,
having passed
on, or being
responsible for
removing
someone else’s
property or has
signed a
person’s name
without that
person’s
permission,
including
falsifying data.
Student
delivers
disrespectful
messages
(verbal or
gestural) to
another person
that includes
threats and
intimidation,
obscene
gestures,
pictures, or
written notes.
Disrespectful
messages
include
negative
comments
based on race,
religion,
gender, age,
and/or national
origin;
sustained or
intense verbal
attacks based
on ethnic
origin,
Offer and
explain choices
and
consequences.
Communicate
more appropriate
way to use
property.
Off-level
Restriction from
Activity
Staff-directed
Participation
Detention
Loss of Privilege
Restitution.
Possible Police
Involvement
Explore reasons
for stealing and
alternative ways
to get needs met.
Communicate
how harassing
behavior makes
others feel.
(Utilize Social
Stories)
Off-level
Restriction from
Activity
Staff-directed
Participation
Detention
Loss of Privilege
Restitution.
Individualized
Instruction
Major Lying and Cheating
Runaway
disabilities or
other personal
matters.
Student
delivers
message that is
untrue and/or
deliberately
violates rules,
includes
withholding
info that could
cause serious
harm or
disruption.
Major cheating
is cheating on
schoolwork,
not games.
Leaving
assigned area
and not
returning
which results
in staff pursuit.
Explore reasons
for lying and
cheating and
alternative ways
to get needs met.
Explain natural
consequences of
loss of trust.
Explore reasons
for running away
and alternative
ways to get
needs met.
Explain natural
consequences of
running away.
Teach
appropriate
anger
management,
communication,
safety and/or
coping skills.
Vandalism/property damage
Student
participates in
an activity that
results in
substantial
destruction or
disfigurement
of property.
Off-Level
Detention
Individualized
Instruction
Communicate
more appropriate
way to use
property.
“How would you
feel if your own
property was
Off-level
Restriction from
Activity
Staff-directed
Participation
Detention
Loss of Privilege
Individualized
Instruction
Possible Police
Involvement
(Safety watch
when
appropriate)
Off-level
Restriction from
Activity
Staff-directed
Participation
Detention
Loss of Privilege
Individualized
Weapons
Student is in
possession of
knives or guns
(real or look
alike), or other
objects readily
capable of
causing bodily
harm.
being treated that Instruction
way?”
Possible Police
Involvement
Restitution
Communicate
Off-level
why a material is Restriction from
restricted from
Activity
campus.
Staff-directed
Participation
Discuss reasons
Detention
why the student
Loss of Privilege
has the material. Individualized
Instruction
Possible Police
Involvement
(Safety watch
when
appropriate)