Sometimes, we forget…….

POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND

Never underestimate the amount of stress some of our kids live under constantly. Sensory oversensitivity can make school environments highly stressful.

Use positive behavior principles and good behavior modification techniques.

Adopt this mantra: All behavior is communication – what is the child trying to say?

Distinguish between “I can’t do it” (lack of knowledge, skills) and “I won’t do it” (I know how, but choose not to).

Remember: All behavior has a function to the child.

Look first to the environment as source of the inappropriate behavior. Is it sensory unfriendly?

Periodically do a reality check. Ask yourself: “Is this behavior I’m trying to teach really necessary?” “Is this obsession I am trying to eliminate really that bad?” Sometimes we want a behavior to stop because it bothers us, not the child or everyone else.

Accentuate the positive! Let the child know what he does right, too!