- So all teachers, all parents are problem behavior causers. We're part of the environment. We're reacting. We're responding.
And how we react and respond can cause increases in negative behaviors. And that's okay. We have to be open to changing what we're doing and identifying that what we've been doing doesn't work. So as long as we have that opportunity to shift gears, that's okay.
And there are certain things that don't work for all behaviors, and actually, some strategies might make certain behaviors worse. For example, reprimands, lectures, yelling at a child do not work for attention behaviors. You're giving them exactly what they want. It's like a shiny red button that says, "I want attention."
And a teacher gives a reprimand or yells, they're getting exactly what they want. Another strategy that's really counterintuitive is timeout for an escape behavior, because it's giving them exactly what they wanted, same. I don't want to do this activity. I don't want to be a part of this group.
Go send me to timeout. We might think that's aversive, but for the child is actually reinforcing. (upbeat music)
Teachers and parents can actually cause problem behaviors! Featuring Sasha Long, founder of the Autism Helper.
