Once we understand what function the behavior serves and what the child is trying to communicate with the behavior, it makes sense. We need to “make sense” of the behavior, identify what function the behavior serves, in order to truly help the child. Once it does “make sense” then it is a lot easier to support the child and teach more appropriate alternative responses. We must listen, observe, and investigate closely in order to understand and “make sense” of the behavior. We must be able to see the world the way the child does to truly understand his behavior. We have to know the child’s sensitivities, vulnerabilities, and current skill level to grasp how he is experiencing the world. We often make the mistake of jumping in and trying to “change” the behavior, before understanding it. Not only do we often guess wrong, but we often invalidate the child by trying to change him rather than teach more appropriate ways of meeting his needs. So when we first see a behavior that seems irrational to us, take your time to listen, observe, and understand it before trying to change it.
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 08:47:56 +0000
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