1

Understanding Behaviour

Teaching Replacement Skills

2

Getting re-connected

Activity:

“Random

Numbers”

3

The Big Picture

Ecological Factors

Environmental

Obtain AvoidTrigger

Physical

Setting Events

Social

4

Functional Behaviour Assessment Steps

1. Decide if a intervention is warranted2. Develop a personal profile3. Define the target behaviour4. Conduct a functional behaviour interview5. Conduct direct observations6. Use setting events checklist 7. Form hypothesis8. Design an support plan (prevent, teach and

respond)9. Evaluate plan

5

Intervention PlanPrevent (A)•Environment

–Classroom–Instruction–Visual supports–Transition supports

•Setting events•Providing choices

Replace (B)•Self-monitoring•Social Skills•Coping & problem solving strategies•Communication skills or systems•Increased Engaged Time•Responding to teacher•Academic Skills

Respond (C )•Specific to the student•Ignoring•Redirecting•Contingencies by educators and peers•Crisis Intervention

6

Teaching new behaviours

• Teach in a systematic way (prompting levels, reinforce)

• Logically related to the assessment– Function of the behaviour– What should the student do instead of the target

behaviour– How is the environment supporting the behaviour

• Teach general positive behaviours• Teach specific skills that allow the student to

escape or obtain something in a more acceptable manner

7

General Positive Behaviours

Organizational Skills Solving Conflicts

• writing down homework in agenda• organizing desk• organizing binders• developing a timeline to finish a project on time• to-do-lists; checklists

• role-play• class meetings• social skills curriculums• response to literature• board games

8

General Positive Behaviours

Coping Strategies Peer relationships

• visuals• social stories• relaxation strategies• time away or quiet area in classroom

• pro social skill curriculums• games; play groups• mentor (peer or adults)• role plays•Extra curricular activities

9

Replacement Behaviours

Rewrite: The student needs to settle down.

To: The student will stay in his seat when the teacher is instructing the class.

10

Examples of Replacement Behaviours

Protest Instead of swearing use simple acceptable (to teacher and student) protest language

Escape Use a break card

Go to a designated time away area

Ask for help

Avoid I want to work on...card

I want to work with...card

11

Examples of Replacement Behaviours

Getting attention from peers

Using names at appropriate time

Tapping on shoulder

Introducing a topic

Talking about peer interests

Requesting access to a preferred activity

Hand picture of desired activity

12

Teaching Replacement Behaviours

The Basic Sequence1. Identify situations where the new skills will be

appropriate2. Select the skill to teach3. Determine the threshold point at which the student

is likely to engage in the target behaviour4. Prompt the replacement behaviour before s/he is

likely to engage in the target behaviour5. Reinforce the replacement behaviour - in the early

stages of learning shape responses and reinforce approximations

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Reinforcement

• Something proven to increase behaviour

• Contingently follows the desired behaviour

• The frequency of earning either the reinforcer or token must match the students ability to delay gratification

14

Reinforcement

• Delivered IMMEDIATELY after each desired behaviour

• Offer more than one reinforcer and allow the student to pre-select or to select after the replacement skill has been demonstrated

15

Reinforcer Examples

• Physical– High five– Pat on the back– Thumbs up

• Verbal– “You made a good

choice!”– Be specific and vary– Done in front of peers

and builds positive reputation of student

16

Reinforcer examples

• Activities access– Time on the computer– Free time– Listening to music– First to leave at break

time– Headphones for 5

minutes• Tangibles

– Positive phone calls– Positive notes home– objects

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Reinforcer examples

• Privileges– Passes – Permission to sit

where you want– Exemption from an

assignment or activity

– Extra points

• Token Economy Systems

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Implementing the Intervention

• Implement the intervention through out every day

• Changes in behaviour take time• Some behaviours (attention seeking) will

intensify before decreasing• Environmental factors can impinge upon

effectiveness• Involve student where ever possible• Take data! (assists teams with evaluating the

plan)

19

Things to Try for Next Time

• Read:– Positive Reinforcement and Token

Economy articles– Complete a 3, 2,1 sheet for each article

• 3 key points• 2 ideas I can use• 1 question I need to ask