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.
An FBA may involve a whole team of professionals. A school psychologist often heads up the team. If so, she will meet with others who interact with your child to get their thoughts and ideas. She will speak directly with your youngster and may conduct some behavioral testing. The other members of the team can include the classroom teacher, special education teachers, administrators, the child, and you, as the parent.
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.
Once the information has been compiled, it can be analyzed. The specialists look at when the conduct occurs, and if there are commonalities in what goes on immediately before. They want to know how often the behaviors are occurring and who is there when they happen. On the other side, these specialists need to understand if there are certain times, places, and people where the inappropriate behaviors are consistently absent.
With the data they have gathered, the professionals are usually ready to try and get to the root of the behaviors. This can be difficult and time consuming. Some children act out when they feel threatened, frightened, or confused, and want to avoid or escape those feelings. The way they behave is their attempt to do that.
The final step in the process is the intervention plan. This plan involves creating an atmosphere conducive to promoting positive behaviors and then rewarding this child for his cooperation. Sometimes this plan includes restructuring teaching methods, changing the physical environment, varying or stabilizing routines, and changing consequences for continued inappropriate behavior. The appropriate person will sit with your child to discuss the changes being made and what will be expected of him going forward.
Not all children have an easy time. Adjusting to a classroom with rules, lessons, and tests can be extremely difficult for some. Sometimes it takes a team of adults to create the possibility of academic success for these special youngsters.
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.
An FBA may involve a whole team of professionals. A school psychologist often heads up the team. If so, she will meet with others who interact with your child to get their thoughts and ideas. She will speak directly with your youngster and may conduct some behavioral testing. The other members of the team can include the classroom teacher, special education teachers, administrators, the child, and you, as the parent.
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.
Once the information has been compiled, it can be analyzed. The specialists look at when the conduct occurs, and if there are commonalities in what goes on immediately before. They want to know how often the behaviors are occurring and who is there when they happen. On the other side, these specialists need to understand if there are certain times, places, and people where the inappropriate behaviors are consistently absent.
With the data they have gathered, the professionals are usually ready to try and get to the root of the behaviors. This can be difficult and time consuming. Some children act out when they feel threatened, frightened, or confused, and want to avoid or escape those feelings. The way they behave is their attempt to do that.
The final step in the process is the intervention plan. This plan involves creating an atmosphere conducive to promoting positive behaviors and then rewarding this child for his cooperation. Sometimes this plan includes restructuring teaching methods, changing the physical environment, varying or stabilizing routines, and changing consequences for continued inappropriate behavior. The appropriate person will sit with your child to discuss the changes being made and what will be expected of him going forward.
Not all children have an easy time. Adjusting to a classroom with rules, lessons, and tests can be extremely difficult for some. Sometimes it takes a team of adults to create the possibility of academic success for these special youngsters.
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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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