Author: Psychiatry

Special points of interest:
Problem Behaviors
Aggressive Children
Tips and Suggestions
Resources and References

Behavior Management

Problem Behaviors

A Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is a process that can be used to address problem behaviors in children by examining the circumstances in which these behaviors occur. Developing an FBA involves identifying the antecedents, consequences, and reinforcers of the misbehaviors¹. Using this process, an understanding of why a child is exhibiting a certain behavior is obtained, which facilitates the creation of a more relevant and effective behavior intervention plan (BIP). A BIP is a formalized plan intended to alter targeted problematic behaviors. According to the Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice there are several steps to follow when developing a FBA. First, a list of the problem behaviors should be created and the most problematic behaviors should be targeted first. Conducting a FBA is a team effort and may require group problem solving, brainstorming, and conflict resolution². After identifying the problem behaviors, information should be gathered on the context , frequency, and/or duration of the behaviors. The information needed for the FBA can be obtained through observation, parent and teacher report, and even child report. Consequences of the misbehavior are important to note as well because that may be a factor in identifying reinforcers of the behaviors.
After exploring the different possibilities of what could be causing and sustaining the misbehavior, a BIP should be developed and tested. The BIP should include positive behavioral supports which incorporate strategies and specific modifications of the child’s environment. The BIP should not seek to control the problem behaviors; rather, the plan should teach new ways of behaving and address the sources of the problematic behaviors².

Aggressive Students

Aggression in students can be displayed in various ways such as physical confrontation, verbal threats, bullying and social manipulation. Trying to manage aggressive behavior in students can lead to increased stress, burnout, impaired teaching quality, and high job turnover³. Furthermore, teacher interactions with students are negatively affected by stress level³. Therefore, it is important to develop an effective way to respond to such behaviors.
There are often many underlying causes of aggression in students. To address aggressive behaviors, first consider all possible reasons a student may be misbehaving and try to identify the source of their behavior. Then you can work with other educators and student support staff (psychologist, guidance counselor, school clinician, etc.) to develop an intervention plan and provide the student with needed supports. It is important to help these students to ensure that they have the needed resources that will help them achieve in and outside of the classroom.

Quick Tips and Suggestions for Managing Student Behavior

Post 4-5 classroom rules that are simple, positively-framed (tell your students what to do instead of what not to do), and easily seen. Include consequences for following or not following the rules.
Be consistent in observing and following the rules.
Make sure that your students understand what behavior is and is not acceptable.
Try to move around the classroom often (teacher proximity helps), and try different seating arrangements to maximize positive interactions between groups of students.
Use consistent routines for all classroom activities, from how to ask a
question to what to do when requesting to use the restroom.
Use your observations to develop a theory about why a student is misbehaving, and address the underlying motivation.
Teach the student an alternate behavior and reinforce that behavior in a way that will give the student the same response (attention, feeling of competence, etc.).
Help the student use the more appropriate behaviors by providing frequent feedback (verbal and non-verbal cues).
Focus on the student’s motivation, and relate the material to his or her life.
If the function of the behavior is to avoid doing work, try a different teaching technique, review directions, consider peer tutoring, or help the student with specific aspects of the work.
Praise student frequently for
replacement (good) behaviors.
Set up a Daily Report Card for the student in which the parents will become involved. This will help monitor the student’s behavior in the classroom and at home.
Use active listening to interrupt a student who is upset without
confrontation.
Stay calm in the face of student provocation. It’s okay to express controlled anger but remain outwardly calm.
Retrieved on February 13th 2007 from www.interventioncentral.org
MSMHA/CSMHA resource sheet “Managing Classroom Behavior”
Retrieved from Managing Classroom Behaviors MSMHA/CSMHA Resource Handout

Retrieved on February 12th 2007 from http://www.afcec.org/tipsforteachers/tips_a3.html The Alabama Federation Council for Exceptional Children (2004)
Retrieved on February 12th 2007 from http://cecp.air.org/fba/default.asp Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice (2001)
Alvarez, H.K., Ollendick, T.H. (2004). Addressing aggressive behavior in schools: Arming the educator. Center for Mental Health in School Quarterly Newsletter

Helpful Websites providing resources and strategies for classroom teachers
www.interventioncentral.org
http://mfba.net/fbabip.pdf
http://www.naspcenter.org
http://cecp.air.org/fba/default.asp
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/classroom-management/discipline/6283.html

References

This story can fit 150-200 words.
One benefit of using your newsletter as a promotional tool is that you can reuse content from other marketing materials, such as press releases, market studies, and reports.
While your main goal of distributing a newsletter might be to sell your product or service, the key to a successful newsletter is making it useful to your readers.
A great way to add useful content to your newsletter is to develop and write your own articles, or include a calendar of upcoming events or a special offer that promotes a new product.
You can also research articles or find “filler” articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a variety of topics but try to keep your articles short.
Much of the content you put in your newsletter can also be used for your Web site. Microsoft Publisher offers a simple way to convert your newsletter to a Web publication. So, when you’re finished writing your newsletter, convert it to a Web site and post it.

This story can fit 75-125 words.
Selecting pictures or graphics is an important part of adding content to your newsletter.
Think about your article and ask yourself if the picture supports or enhances the message you’re trying to convey. Avoid selecting images that appear to be out of context.
Microsoft Publisher includes thousands of clip art images from which you can choose and import into your newsletter. There are also several tools you can use to draw shapes and symbols.
Once you have chosen an image, place it close to the article. Be sure to place the caption of the image near the image.

This story can fit 100-150 words.
The subject matter that appears in newsletters is virtually endless. You can include stories that focus on current technologies or innovations in your field.
You may also want to note business or economic trends, or make predictions for your customers or clients.
If the newsletter is distributed internally, you might comment upon new procedures or improvements to the business. Sales figures or earnings will show how your business is growing.
Some newsletters include a column that is updated every issue, for instance, an advice column, a book review, a letter from the president, or an editorial. You can also profile new employees or top customers or vendors.

Behavior Management

This story can fit 150-200 words.
One benefit of using your newsletter as a promotional tool is that you can reuse content from other marketing materials, such as press releases, market studies, and reports.
While your main goal of distributing a newsletter might be to sell your product or service, the key to a successful newsletter is making it useful to your readers.
A great way to add useful content to your newsletter is to develop and write your own articles, or include a calendar of upcoming events or a special offer that promotes a new product.
You can also research articles or find “filler” articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a variety of topics but try to keep your articles short.
Much of the content you put in your newsletter can also be used for your Web site. Microsoft Publisher offers a simple way to convert your newsletter to a Web publication. So, when you’re finished writing your newsletter, convert it to a Web site and post it.

This story can fit 75-125 words.
Selecting pictures or graphics is an important part of adding content to your newsletter.
Think about your article and ask yourself if the picture supports or enhances the message you’re trying to convey. Avoid selecting images that appear to be out of context.
Microsoft Publisher includes thousands of clip art images from which you can choose and import into your newsletter. There are also several tools you can use to draw shapes and symbols.
Once you have chosen an image, place it close to the article. Be sure to place the caption of the image near the image.

This story can fit 100-150 words.
The subject matter that appears in newsletters is virtually endless. You can include stories that focus on current technologies or innovations in your field.
You may also want to note business or economic trends, or make predictions for your customers or clients.
If the newsletter is distributed internally, you might comment upon new procedures or improvements to the business. Sales figures or earnings will show how your business is growing.
Some newsletters include a column that is updated every issue, for instance, an advice column, a book review, a letter from the president, or an editorial. You can also profile new employees or top customers or vendors.

Volume 1, Issue 4
February 2007