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Strategies 130

This document discusses problematic behavior and communication. It states that behavior often serves as a form of communication for the person exhibiting it and serves some function, such as getting attention or avoiding something. The document advocates taking a functional communication training approach to address the root cause or purpose of the behavior rather than just the consequences. It provides examples of communicative replacements for different functions of behavior, and notes that any replacement behavior must be at least as effective for the individual.

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Foram Shah
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61 views

Strategies 130

This document discusses problematic behavior and communication. It states that behavior often serves as a form of communication for the person exhibiting it and serves some function, such as getting attention or avoiding something. The document advocates taking a functional communication training approach to address the root cause or purpose of the behavior rather than just the consequences. It provides examples of communicative replacements for different functions of behavior, and notes that any replacement behavior must be at least as effective for the individual.

Uploaded by

Foram Shah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Behaviour And Communication

Problematic behaviour often impedes social relationships and learning


opportunities both for the student and classmates. It inhibits inclusion.
Sometimes we tend to focus on dealing with consequences rather than
addressing the function or purpose of the behaviour for the child. When we
focus on consequential interventions, the behaviour usually is replaced by an
alternate behaviour (often equally as inappropriate). We need to take a
Functional Communication Training approach.

We will always select a method to communicate that is the most efficient and
effective. If a behaviour is problematic, we need to remember that it involves the
interaction between two people. The behaviour itself may not be problematic.
It is often the interaction between the two people from which a problem arises.
We also need to remember that some children have no other means to
communicate except through the particular challenging behaviour. On the other
hand, other children do have other ways to communicate, but no one may be
listening to them unless they engage in the escalating behaviour.

Communication and behaviour are inseparable. In other words, behaviour
provides a function (or means of communication) for the person who does it.
(Pat Mirenda, 1999) Augmentative communication (PCS, BIGmack, signs,
gestures, etc.) can provide a more appropriate means of addressing the function
of the undesired behaviour for the individual.

4 Probable Functions of Behaviour Communicative Replacements
to get tangibles (e.g., I want...) want, please, more
to get attention or social interaction
(e.g., Pay attention to me)
pay attention to me, come here,
more, use of conversation book
to escape or avoid (e.g., I dont
want...)
break, go, no, stop, help,
please, provide a choice
to decrease sensory boredom or stress
(e.g., This makes me feel better)
Im bored, give me something to do
message should be specific to the
function & context of the behaviour

(Pat Mirenda, 1997)

It is important that the communicative replacement behaviour be at least as
effective as the behaviour you wish to extinguish. Otherwise, the individual will
not expend the energy to engage in that new behaviour.
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Further Resources & References:

Durand, V.M. (1990) Severe Behaviour Problems: A Functional Communication
Training Approach. NY: Guilford Press. (Motivational Assessment)

Durand, V. M., & Crimmins, D. (1988). Identifying The Variables Maintaining
Self-Injurious Behavior. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 18, 99-
117.

Iwata, B., Dorsey, M., Slifer, K., Bauman, K., & Richman, G. (1982).
Toward A Functional Analysis of Self-Injury. Analysis and intervention in
Development Disabilities, 2, 3-20.

ONeill, R., Horner, R., Albin, R., Sprague, J., Stoey, K., & Newton, S. (1997)
Functional Assessment And Program Development for Problem Behavior. Pacific
Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. (Functional Analysis Interview)

Mirenda, P. (1997) Functional Communication Training and Augmentative
Communication: A Research Review. Augmentative and Alternative
Communication, 13, 207-225.

PROVINCIAL INTEGRATION SUPPORT PROGRAM WWW.PISP.CA

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