Behavior Management

Life can be easier!

Consequences to inappropriate behavior is a necessary skill to teach, yet a challenging one for children with learning disabilities including high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Asperger's Syndrome, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

Children express their feelings by exhibiting specific behaviors yet often they don't have the communication skills, understanding or maturity to verbalize what is occurring in their lives and minds.

The result may be a child who is frustrated with teachers, family and friends, and there may be other cognitive and emotional factors which manifest themselves as anger and “bad behavior.”   Children may feel angry and “act out” when they are teased, unaccepted by their peers, or unable to do things as well as others.

As a parent, you may find yourself resorting to punishments when you're frustrated and when emotions run high.  These punishments often include yelling, hitting or other actions that may be considered abusive, too strict/permissive or don't address the actual problem.

It is not that parents are terrible people (as their children might have you believe!), but rather, they are angry and don't know how to handle situations that arise. During trying times, parents who have an existing management plan in effect are often successful in de-escalating conflicts and reducing undesirable responses from their children.

Behavior
Management Plan

A Behavior Management Plan with consequences is a dignified and effective method of dealing with problematic behavior.

This type of plan isolates the problem and the reason for its occurrence. Furthermore, it includes fine-tuned interventions that allow parents to implement just, swift and fair consequences that fit within their individual family's framework.

This plan can be tailored to incorporate your parents' beliefs and attitudes while maintaining goals and standards for the child. Without such a plan, parents face a continual battle with their children (and often between themselves) in trying to manage difficult situations. An organized plan removes the “guesswork” and emotions, resulting in a calmer environment.

The Behavior Management Plan is developed in stages.  Initially, the foundation is laid and then the following questions are asked, although many additional factors are considered when building a plan:

  • What is the problem or area of concern?
  • When does this behavior present itself? When does it not?
  • What other conditions are present when the behavior occurs?
  • How do others respond when the behavior is being acted out?
  • How are reinforcements delivered when the behavior is not being displayed?
  • What strengths and weaknesses do the child and other family members possess?

Next, the substantive plan is developed using a thoughtful and objective approach to dealing with particular behaviors as the family learns how to consistently follow the plan, eliminating confusing and guilty thoughts parents often have such as "What should I do in that situation?" or "Is this consequence reasonable or is it too harsh?"  Instead, parents already have in place a "map" by which they can maneuver even the most difficult times.

One of the advantages of this approach is that it allows parents to quickly gain new understanding and methods to employ while children learn boundaries and the consequences of their behavior. Parents often remark that even a few initial strategies help them make it through a day with fewer battles and more success. LIFE CAN BE EASIER!

Parent Coaching for Behavior Plans
and Family Management Techniques

Goals:

  • Increasing parent knowledge of particular behaviors
  • Improving parent management skills and competence in recognizing conditions under which particular behaviors occur
  • Reframing and normalizing aspects of various behaviors
  • Improving child's compliance with requests, directives and rules
  • Reducing stress by developing a solid plan that serves as a foundation and framework for dealing with various issues
  • Increasing family harmony by recognizing family interaction patterns that contribute to disharmony and strife

Goals are achieved by:

  • Educating parents about child misbehavior
  • Helping to identify defiant behavior
  • Replacing family's interaction patterns with alternative ones
  • Using a Parent Co-Operative Management Plan

Added Benefits:

  • Transferring newly learned behaviors from home to school
  • Increasing time and energy for strengthening parental relationships

Contact
Me Today
 
I'm pleased to offer both office and in-home sessions.
 
Contact me today to learn how I can help you create a more harmonious family life through behavior management; also read my article "Why Children Misbehave: Benefits of Behavior Management Plans".

Serving clients in Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, South Bay and Los Angeles area; ADD/ADHD Coach.