I mplementation of behavioral strategies in the home setting

1. Implementation of behavioral strategies in the home setting Parent Educational Series January 15, 2014 Fairview Middle School

2. Where should you start? What behaviors are important to address? • How is the behavior impacting their life? • Is it preventing them from being social or preventing them from being able to participate in important events/tasks/etc? • Choosing to address a behavior that will have the most impact on their life is the most important behavior to chose, and should be targeted first.

3. The function of the behavior • This is the MOST important part! • Why is the behavior occurring: • Attention • Avoiding tasks/escape • To get/have something- tangible • These are just examples and a behavior can have more than one function.

4. Data, data, data….. • You may not always be able to take A-B-C data (S-R-S), but stepping back, making observations before, during, and after the behavior occurs is very important. • Keep a journal or notes • A plan, or intervention procedure shouldbechosen based on the function! To know the function- you have to make observations and collect data. • Why?

5. The lingo & what it means… • DRO & what is differential reinforcement? • Schedules of reinforcement • Token Economy • Response Cost • Time out form reinforcement • Extinction- planned ignoring- no reinforcement • Prompting- what is the hierarchy

6. TAKE A BREAK!

7. How do these strategies apply to you.. • Carrying out behavioral strategies in the home setting can be difficult for many parents due to many variables. • What is the best strategy for your child and your family- How do you decide? • What is being used at school? When it is possible the strategies should be similar if not the same- for consistency and so that your child understands that the expectations and/or consequences will be similar.

8. Helpful tips… • One day at a time • Keep a journal of any changes • Take data and observe • Meet as a family and go over the steps • Write the steps or what you are working on down on a dry erase board in a central location for everyone to see, or post it on the fridge etc. • Keep the visuals/behavior materials(timer etc.) in a spot everyone can see/find

9. General Strategies to implement • Use more visuals and less verbals • Schedules Schedules Schedules- write down your day on a dry erase board at the very least! • Timer- buy it, use it, love it! • LIMIT VIDEO/MEDIA/IPAD/TV etc- use this to your advantage- NOT disadvantage! • Independent skills- what can your child do by themselves? Save those activities for when you need to cook, clean, shower, etc.

10. What is an independent activity schedule and how do I get it started? • Photo album • Pictures of activities they can do by themselves or with minimal help. • You will need to work with your child in the beginning and then fade out... • Start with one picture if you have to and then gradually increase. • Use a digital camera and take pictures of the real toys/activities. • Keep the materials in a location your child will be able access independently.

11. Next Month…. • We will be in a computer lab and make behavioral materials for your child! • YOUR HOMEWORK: • Chose 1-3 target behaviors & write down what the behavior ‘looks like’ (topography) • Observe your child- ABC- and take data/notes • Come with the data and ideas about possible functions • We will work together to pick strategies and make materials.