For parents of a child with behavioral issues, meeting with the classroom teacher can be a regular occurrence. Some children have trouble sitting still, following directions, and acting appropriately in school. In certain instances, there is more behind these behaviors than immaturity. When teachers and school administrators have tried the usual remedies without success, they may suggest starting functional behavior assessment steps.
As the parent, you need to understand exactly what a functional behavior assessment, or FBA, is and how the process works. This is not done to punish or single out an unruly child. Educators generally love the kids they work with and, when they are struggling, want to find ways to help. That involves discovering the reasons behind the unacceptable behaviors and developing a comprehensive plan to turn negative behaviors into positive ones.
A lot of times the school psychologist is chosen to lead the FBA team. She meets with educators and others who frequently interact with your child to get their thoughts on the situation. She will meet privately with your little one and might do some behavioral testing. Administrators, special education and classroom teachers, the child, and the parent are usually members of the team.
Before inappropriate behaviors can be assessed, they have to be defined. Generalizations like disruptive and inappropriate are too vague to have much value. What is required are accurate, unbiased details regarding specific incidents that have occurred in and out of class. The more information the professionals have, the better the eventual plan will be.
Analyzing the data is the next step. The specialist examines the reported events looking for common threads between what the behaviors were, when they happened, and what was going on immediately preceding an incident. It also important for them to analyze times and situations when the child behaves appropriately. They look at where the child was, who was with the child, and if the child is more compliant at certain times of the day.
After this information has been processed, the professionals start to hypothesize about the reasons behind the poor behaviors. This is often difficult to do accurately and takes time. They are trying to figure out if the behaviors are a result of your child avoiding or attempting to escape a situation. They know that these behaviors accomplish something in the youngster's mind.
Finally the specialists devise a plan of intervention. This is designed to redirect the child's energy into positive behaviors and reward him for his efforts. There are no set guidelines for this plan. Each one has to be tailor made to fit the unique circumstances surrounding each child. The plan might include changing the physical environment, adjusting teaching methods, varying routines, or changing the consequences for negative actions.
Childhood is not easy for everybody. Some kids have issues that make classrooms places that bring out destructive and inappropriate responses. When adults, in and out of the academic world, work together, a troubled child can begin to thrive.
As the parent, you need to understand exactly what a functional behavior assessment, or FBA, is and how the process works. This is not done to punish or single out an unruly child. Educators generally love the kids they work with and, when they are struggling, want to find ways to help. That involves discovering the reasons behind the unacceptable behaviors and developing a comprehensive plan to turn negative behaviors into positive ones.
A lot of times the school psychologist is chosen to lead the FBA team. She meets with educators and others who frequently interact with your child to get their thoughts on the situation. She will meet privately with your little one and might do some behavioral testing. Administrators, special education and classroom teachers, the child, and the parent are usually members of the team.
Before inappropriate behaviors can be assessed, they have to be defined. Generalizations like disruptive and inappropriate are too vague to have much value. What is required are accurate, unbiased details regarding specific incidents that have occurred in and out of class. The more information the professionals have, the better the eventual plan will be.
Analyzing the data is the next step. The specialist examines the reported events looking for common threads between what the behaviors were, when they happened, and what was going on immediately preceding an incident. It also important for them to analyze times and situations when the child behaves appropriately. They look at where the child was, who was with the child, and if the child is more compliant at certain times of the day.
After this information has been processed, the professionals start to hypothesize about the reasons behind the poor behaviors. This is often difficult to do accurately and takes time. They are trying to figure out if the behaviors are a result of your child avoiding or attempting to escape a situation. They know that these behaviors accomplish something in the youngster's mind.
Finally the specialists devise a plan of intervention. This is designed to redirect the child's energy into positive behaviors and reward him for his efforts. There are no set guidelines for this plan. Each one has to be tailor made to fit the unique circumstances surrounding each child. The plan might include changing the physical environment, adjusting teaching methods, varying routines, or changing the consequences for negative actions.
Childhood is not easy for everybody. Some kids have issues that make classrooms places that bring out destructive and inappropriate responses. When adults, in and out of the academic world, work together, a troubled child can begin to thrive.
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You can get an overview of functional behavior assessment steps and more info about Vizually Speaking services at http://www.vizuallyspeaking.ca right now.
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