Target Behaviors
So you have to find a place to start first and foremost. You will need to prioritize. You cannot work on all behaviors at one time! I promise you can’t. Here are some questions to consider:
Once you have some ideas of some behaviors you would like to target, I highly recommend writing out a very specific definition. Even if you are the only one taking data, you’d be surprised how much your perception can change of what you are counting as a behavior (what you consider property destruction in September could change by March). If a student slaps another student does that count the same as a punch? What about a poke? How would you define ‘talking back,’ ‘off task,’ or ‘disruptive’? Write a definition that clearly identifies what the inappropriate behavior looks like. Include only what you can see/observe not what you think the child is doing.
- What behaviors are potentially dangerous?
- How long have these issues been a problem?
- Will changing this behavior provide more opportunities for functional independence, inclusion, or socialization?
- Will changing this behavior improve the child’s quality of life?
- Which behavior is the most disruptive to class/other students?
- What is the cost-benfit of improving this behavior?
Once you have some ideas of some behaviors you would like to target, I highly recommend writing out a very specific definition. Even if you are the only one taking data, you’d be surprised how much your perception can change of what you are counting as a behavior (what you consider property destruction in September could change by March). If a student slaps another student does that count the same as a punch? What about a poke? How would you define ‘talking back,’ ‘off task,’ or ‘disruptive’? Write a definition that clearly identifies what the inappropriate behavior looks like. Include only what you can see/observe not what you think the child is doing.
- Good example: During independent work time, the students gets up and walks away from his desk and begins talking to other students and taking items such as pencils or paper off their desk and throwing it on the floor.
- Bad example: When the student wants attention, he bugs other students to get a rise out of them.
Examples of Target Behaviors:
1. Non-Compliance to Teacher Requests
2. Striking Others
3. Talking Out/Back
4. Minor Fine Motor Annoyances
5. Spitting
6. Resists Transitioning Between Tasks
7. Resists Transitioning Between Environments
8. Throwing Objects
9. Difficulty Focusing on/Completing Tasks
10. Biting
11. Out of Seat
12. Inappropriate Social Interactions
13. Running Away/Elopement
14. Drops to Ground
15. Lying
16. Verbal Aggression
1. Non-Compliance to Teacher Requests
2. Striking Others
3. Talking Out/Back
4. Minor Fine Motor Annoyances
5. Spitting
6. Resists Transitioning Between Tasks
7. Resists Transitioning Between Environments
8. Throwing Objects
9. Difficulty Focusing on/Completing Tasks
10. Biting
11. Out of Seat
12. Inappropriate Social Interactions
13. Running Away/Elopement
14. Drops to Ground
15. Lying
16. Verbal Aggression