Behavior Modification for Special Needs Children

Behavior modifications are methods of changing behavior. Most behavior modification theories come from the study of learning and motivation. Such modifications may be used for people of any age and any level of cognitive ability. Some techniques have been designed specifically to help special needs children.

  1. Reinforcement

    • Reinforcement increases behavior, whether that behavior is desired or not. Parents and teachers of special needs children must be aware of the behaviors to which they give attention, or reinforcement. For example, if a child screams for a toy and the parent gives it to him, the child will scream more often. If the child asks appropriately for the toy, the parent must give it to him immediately, and give praise to further reinforce the desired behavior.

    Priming

    • Priming is a behavior modification technique specifically designed for children with autism. As described in a review published by the University of Florida, priming may be used by teachers when they know an activity is routinely difficult for an autistic student. For example, if an autistic child has difficulty sitting in a group listening to a story, read the story to him alone before the group story time. In general, autistic children benefit from being prepared before they engage in difficult activities.

    Communicative Alternatives

    • Not all special needs children have the words they need to communicate appropriately. This results in challenging behaviors, such as throwing toys when she wants to go outside. Teachers and parents must learn to recognize why the child throws toys, then teach the child a gesture or word to communicate her desire. At the University of Minnesota, experts explain that communicative alternatives may only be used when the function of the behavior (going outside) can be honored. A child who misbehaves to avoid taking medication may not be taught a communicative alternative.

    Picture Supports

    • Picture supports are considered a behavior modification technique because they successfully change the behavior of special needs kids in school, at home and in other institutions. Pictures are used in place of words for the teacher, parent and child to communicate with each other. For example, parents may show the child a page of six different snacks. The child points to a picture of a banana and sits at the table. The parent serves a banana snack.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Disciplining Children at Home for Getting in Trouble at School
      Researchers at the University of Illinois Extension, a continuing education initiative, state that discipline is a way to teach a child appropriate behaviors, as opposed to punishment, which is targeted toward the child instead of the behavior. When
    • Smart Talk: Six Ways to Speak to Our Kids
      The TENDER approach to communicationSmart Talk: Six Ways to Speak to Our Kids This excerpt is from How To Say It to Your Kids by Dr. Paul Coleman. Kathy glanced at the wall clock. Only 15 minutes until the school bus arrived! Her two children were da
    • Spanking Leads to Aggression Later in Kids
      Spanking Leads to Aggression Later in KidsCould spanking turn your child into a bully? Recent research shows it might and gives parents another reason to think again before turning to spanking for discipline. Occasional spanking of a 3-year-old child