Meltdowns are a maladaptive behavior that occurs when a child engages in two or more behaviors such as hitting, kicking, biting, or flailing on the floor. These behaviors are a result of wanting access to something or wanting to escape a situation.
In this lesson, the behavior is discussed and solutions are provided for who to redirect the child back to appropriate behavior and provide positive reinforcement once the child is back on track.
Non-compliance is a maladaptive behavior that is defined by a child failing or refusing to start or complete a task or follow an instruction. The purpose of the behavior typically is to avoid a non-preferred demand, instruction, or activity (escape). However, it may also have a function of sensory, attention, and/or tangible.
In this lesson, strategies to address and resolve non-compliance are discussed.
Self-stimulatory behavior is defined by repetitive body movements or repetitive movement of objects. Examples of this include hand-flapping, body rocking, and spinning in circles. Self-stimulatory behavior can also be vocal – the child repeats words and phrases over and over.
One reason that these behaviors are considered inappropriate is that they do not match the current environmental or social context (and so can be socially stigmatizing). Additionally, the child may engage in these behaviors for long periods of time, sometimes for several hours, without interruption, which can also impede the child learning other needed skills. These behaviors are often self-reinforcing – the child doesn’t need another person to provide reinforcement. The child provides both the action and the reinforcer. Self-stimulatory behavior is often sensory in nature and can also indicate a deficit in leisure and play skills.
In this lesson, strategies for redirecting the child to more appropriately meet sensory needs and in more socially appropriate ways are discussed.
Bolting, also known as “elopement”, is when the child inappropriately leaves the immediate area and without having permission to do so. Bolting can occur within a home (such as running off to another room in the house) or in the community (such as running down the street or away from the parent when in a store). Bolting can pose significant dangers when out in the community because children often are unaware of safety concerns, such as car traffic or strangers, when bolting.
Teaching the child community safety rules and practicing how to ask for permission before leaving a parent’s side can reduce instances of bolting. Using game play is a fun way to teach the child how to “stop” and “wait” appropriately. Initial practice, and a lot of it, in safe environments is very important before trying out in the community, and adult supervision is a key component in treating bolting behaviors.
In this lesson, strategies for how to address bolting are discussed.
