Promoting Social Emotional Competence Individualized Intensive Interventions: Determining the Meaning of Challenging Behavior Module 3a Handout

Agenda Introduction Challenging Behavior Overview of PBS Behavior Equation The Process of PBS, Building a Team Introduction to Functional Assessment Functional Assessment Observation Conducting Observations, Data to Collect Functional Assessment Interview Case Study Activity: Determining the Function Hypothesis Development Not Sure about The Hypothesis

Learner Objectives This workshop will teach you to: 1.Understand the difference between PBS and traditional discipline approaches. 2.Define forms and function of communication and identify the behavioral mechanisms that contribute to viewing challenging behavior as communicative. 3.Identify methods that may be used to determine the function of challenging behavior. 4.Use interview and observation data to determine the communicative function of challenging behavior and develop behavior hypotheses.

Challenging Behavior What we are referring to when we say “challenging behavior” is: Any repeated pattern of behavior that interferes with learning or engagement in pro-social interactions with peers and adults Behaviors that are not responsive to the use of developmentally appropriate guidance procedures. Prolonged tantrums, physical and verbal aggression, disruptive vocal and motor behavior (e.g., screaming, stereotypy), property destructions, self-injury, noncompliance, and withdrawal

The Teaching Pyramid Designing Supportive Environments Building Positive Relationships Social Emotional Teaching Strategies (PBS) Individualized Intensive Interventions Few children Children at-risk All children

Intensive Individualized Interventions Intensive individualized instruction and interventions are used with children who have very persistent and severe challenging behavior and do not respond to the typical preventive practices, child guidance procedures, or social emotional teaching strategies that would normally work with most children.

Group Discussion: Challenging Behavior Challenges Chart on chart paper

Positive Behavior Support (PBS) An approach for changing a child’s behavior. Is based on humanistic values and research. An approach for developing an understanding of why the child has challenging behavior and teaching the child new skills to replace challenging behavior. A holistic approach that considers all of the factors that impact on a child, family, and the child’s behavior.

Research on PBS Effective for all ages of individuals with disabilities 2-50 years. Effective for diverse groups of individuals with challenges: mental retardation, oppositional defiant disorder, autism, emotional behavioral disorders, children at risk, etc. PBS is the only comprehensive and evidence-based approach to address challenging behavior within a variety of natural settings.

Old Way – New Way Old Way General intervention for all behavior challenges Intervention is reactive Focus on behavior reduction Quick fix New Way Intervention matched to purpose of the behavior Intervention is proactive Focus on teaching new skills Long-term interventions

Challenging Behavior Communicates May be used to communicate a message when a child does not have language May be used instead of language by a child who has limited social skills or has learned that challenging behavior will result in meeting his or her needs

Challenging Behavior Works Children engage in challenging behavior because “it works” for them. Challenging behavior results in the child gaining access to something or someone (i.e., obtain/request) or avoiding something or someone (i.e., escape/protest).

Video 3a.2: Brendan – Before PBS

Video 3a.3: Brendan’s Family – Before PBS

Video 3a.4: Brendan’s Family– Before PBS (Cont.)

Video 3a.5: Brendan – With PBS

Video 3a.6: Brendan’s Family – With PBS

Video 3a.7: Tim – Before PBS

Video 3a.8: Tim – With PBS

Video 3a.9: Importance of PBS

Dimensions of Communication Every communicative behavior can be described by the form and function. Form: the behavior used to communicate. Function: the reason or purpose of the communicative behavior.

Children Communicate in Many Ways: Forms of communication –Words –Sentences –Point to a picture –Eye gaze –Pulling adult –Crying –Biting –Tantrums –?

Children Communicate a Variety of Messages Functions of communication –Request object, activity, person –Escape demands –Escape activity –Escape a person –Request help –Request social interaction –Comment –Request information –Request sensory stimulation –Escape sensory stimulation –?

TriggerBehavior Maintaining Consequence Behavior Equation Joey is asked to come to circle. Teacher provides physical prompt to move him to group. Joey resists, cries, and hits teacher. Teacher moves away from Joey and allows Joey to select a different activity.

Setting Event Event that occurs at another time that increases the likelihood the child will have challenging behavior. Setting events serve to “set the child up” to have challenging behavior.

Behavior Equation Setting EventTriggerBehavior Maintaining Consequence Quan approaches computer and sees child working on program. Quan moves his picture to indicate that he is next. Quan observes and waits for his turn. Child leaves computer and Quan sits down and begins working.

Maintaining ConsequenceBehaviorTrigger Setting Event Child leaves computer and Quan sits down and begins working. Quan hits child and pushes his body on the child’s chair. Quan approaches computer and sees child working on program. Quan was up most the night with an asthma attack. He arrives at school looking sleepy and with dark circles under his eyes. Behavior Equation

Evan Evan is playing with Duplos. He tries to attach a block to his stack of 3. He can’t quite get the blocks to connect. He looks up at the adult and begins fussing. He holds the stack of blocks up, looks at the blocks, and looks at the adult. The adult helps him put the blocks together.

Setting EventTriggerBehavior Maintaining Consequence Evan Function:

Shana Shana is sitting in her high chair with nothing on the tray. Her mother is stirring her oatmeal. Shana begins crying and bangs her head on the back of the seat. Her mother says to her, "It's not cool enough, honey; just a minute." Shana stops crying when the oatmeal is placed on her tray.

Setting EventTriggerBehavior Maintaining Consequence Function: Shana

Gabriella Gabriella is playing in her room. Her mom says, “Come on Gabriella. Time to go to school.” Her mom pulls on her arm to try to get Gabriella to stand and go to the car. Gabriella yells, screams, and begins kicking at her toys. Her mother says, “All right, 5 more minutes. But then we must go.” Gabriella’s mom walks away, and Gabriella continues playing with her toys.

Setting EventTriggerBehavior Maintaining Consequence Function: Gabriella

Tim Tim is riding a trike on the playground bike path. He sees a child move to the sandbox where Tim had just finished building a road-way. He leaps off his trike and tackles the child. He hits the child. An adult comes over to intervene. She comforts the child and scolds Tim. Tim goes to the sandbox and continues construction on his road-way.

Setting EventTriggerBehavior Maintaining Consequence Tim Function:

Madison Madison is in housekeeping, putting on high heels and a hat. Emily moves into the area and selects a purse from the dress-up box. Madison shouts “no” and bites Emily. A teacher comes over; she asks Madison to go to the thinking chair and takes Emily to the bathroom to look at the bite. After 4 minutes, Madison leaves the thinking chair and returns to housekeeping. She grabs the purse Emily had selected and continues to play. Emily leaves the bathroom with the teacher and then begins an art activity where the teacher is present.

Setting EventTriggerBehavior Maintaining Consequence Madison Function:

Process of Positive Behavior Support Step 1:Establishing a collaborative team and identifying goals Step 2: Gathering information (functional assessment) Step 3: Developing hypotheses (best guess) Step 4: Designing behavior support plans Step 5: Implementing, monitoring, evaluating outcomes, and refining plan in natural environments

Potential Team Members Parents/Family Teacher(s) Assisting Teacher/Paraprofessional Therapists Administrative Staff Other(s)

Group Discussion: Welcoming Families Chart on chart paper

Process of Positive Behavior Support Step 1:Establishing a collaborative team and identifying goals Step 2: Gathering information (functional assessment) Step 3: Developing hypotheses (best guess) Step 4: Designing behavior support plans Step 5: Implementing, monitoring, evaluating outcomes, and refining plan in natural environments

Functional Assessment A process for developing an understanding of a person’s challenging behavior and, in particular, how the behavior is governed by environmental events. Results in the identification of the “purpose” or “function” of the challenging behavior.

Functional Assessment Observe the child in target routines and settings. Collect data on child behavior, looking for situations that predict challenging behavior and that are linked with appropriate behavior. Interview persons most familiar with the child. Review records.

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Answer

Name:Observer:Date: General Context:Time: Social Context: Challenging Behavior: Social Reaction: POSSIBLE FUNCTION: Observation Card

Name: Karen Observer: teacher Date: 1/22 General Context: Choice time/art Time: 10:00 Social Context: Playing alone in house. Teacher comes over to Karen and asks her to come to the art table for art. When she doesn’t respond, the teacher tries to assist her by taking her arm to nudge her to stand. Challenging Behavior: Karen pulls away and begins to protest by saying, “No! I not go to art!” as she pulls away from the teacher. Social Reaction: The teacher walks away and says, “I will be back in a few minutes to see if you are ready.” POSSIBLE FUNCTION: Escape art Observation Card Example

Video 3a.10: Observation Vignette #1

Name: Segment 1 Observer:Date: General Context: Choice time Time: Social Context:. Challenging Behavior: Social Reaction: POSSIBLE FUNCTION: Observation Card

Video 3a.11: Observation Vignette #2

Name: Segment 2 Observer:Date: General Context: Playground Time: Social Context: Challenging Behavior: Social Reaction: POSSIBLE FUNCTION: Observation Card

Video 3a.12: Observation Vignette #3

Name: Segment 3 Observer:Date: General Context: Computer Time: Social Context: Challenging Behavior: Social Reaction: POSSIBLE FUNCTION: Observation Card

Video 3a.13: Observation Vignette #4

Name: Segment 4 Observer:Date: General Context: Enter Library Time: Social Context: Challenging Behavior: Social Reaction: POSSIBLE FUNCTION: Observation Card

Video 3a.14: Observation Vignette #5

Name: Segment 5 Observer:Date: General Context: Circle with puppet Time: Social Context:. Challenging Behavior: Social Reaction: POSSIBLE FUNCTION: Observation Card

Video 3a.15: Observation Vignette #6

Name: Segment 6 Observer:Date: General Context: Center time Time: Social Context: Challenging Behavior: Social Reaction: POSSIBLE FUNCTION: Observation Card

MONTUESWEDTHURSFRISATSUN What happened the night before? Slept Poorly Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Mom on Midnight Shift Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No How was his behavior? Tantrum in A.M. Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Tantrum in P.M. Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Sample Setting Event Chart

MonTuesWedThursFri How does he come to school? Rides the bus  Mom brings  Tantrum at a.m. circle  His behavior? Tantrum at snack  Tantrum at small group  Sample Setting Event Chart

Scatter Plot Dates TimeActivity10/110/210/310/410/510/810/910/1010/1110/12 7:30Arrival Free Choice 9:00Planning 9:30Centers 10:30Snack 11:00Outside 11:30Small Group 12:00Lunch 12:30Nap 1:30Outside 2:30P.M. Circle 3:00Departure Student: Observer: Dates: Target Behavior: Using a scatter plot involves recording the times of day (and/or activities) in which the behavior does and does not occur to identify patterns over days or weeks Rachel Maya 10/1 through 10/12 Hitting Peers Behavior did not occur Behavior did occur Did not observe NA

Child: Rachel Routine/Activity: House Center Activity DescriptionBehavior ExpectationsProblems Steps: 1. Select materials1. Pick materials that no one is using. 2. Pretend in roles2. Use materials appropriately. 3. Exchange materials with peers 3. Don’t take from peer.3. Takes materials from others. 4. Follow peers’ lead or accept role assignment 4. Maintain engagement.4. Ignores peers, interferes in play. 5. Clean-up5. Put materials on shelf in correct area. Activity Analysis

Child: Rachel Routine/Activity: Snack Activity Analysis Activity DescriptionBehavior ExpectationsProblems Steps: 1. Sit in chair.1. Stay in seat. 2. Take food from plate when passed. 2. Take one item, wait for turn. 2. Takes multiple items, puts hand in bowl, grabs while plate is passed. 3. Eat food on plate.3. Eat from own plate.3. Takes food from other children’s plates. 4. Drink juice from own cup.4. Drink and put cup on table. 5. Ask for more food.5. Ask using please.5. Grabs food when she wants more. 6. Wipe face with napkin.6. Use napkin, not clothing. 7. Throw plate/cup/napkin away when finished. 7. Clear place, throw in trash.

Everybody Helps Family collects data Educational staff collects data Therapists collect data Collect data in ALL settings

“KIS” “KIS it” (Keep It Simple) - - Create simple, user- friendly forms to collect information (e.g., rating scales, checklists).

Home Observation Card

Functional Assessment Interview Define behavior (describe what you see) Describe frequency and intensity Explore possible setting events Identify predictors (triggers) Identify maintaining consequences Identify current communicative functions Describe efficiency of the behavior Describe previous efforts Identify possible reinforcers

Functional Assessment Interview Refer to Tim’s Sample Functional Assessment Interview TimFAI.pdf

Large Group Activity: Complete Last Section of Tim’s FAI Distant Setting Event Immediate Antecedent (Trigger) Problem Behavior Maintaining Consequences Function LINK TO ANSWER

Process of Positive Behavior Support Step 1:Establishing a collaborative team and identifying goals Step 2: Gathering information (functional assessment) Step 3: Developing hypotheses (best guess) Step 4: Designing behavior support plans Step 5: Implementing, monitoring, evaluating outcomes, and refining plan in natural environments

Hypotheses Statements Triggers of the challenging behavior Description of the challenging behavior Responses that maintain the challenging behavior Purpose of the behavior

TriggerBehaviorMaintaining Consequence Group play: centers and outside play Setting Events (if applicable): Verbal aggression (threats), physical aggression (hit, push, kick, punch), property destruction Peers give up toys/items Peers leave area Adults intervene with negative attention on Tim PreventionsNew SkillsNew Responses Tim’s Support Planning Chart- Hypothesis Function: obtain toy/play

Hypothesis Statement In group play situations (outside play/centers), Tim uses verbal aggression (threats), physical aggression (hit, push, kick, punch), and property destruction (throwing or banging toys) to obtain toys and/or join play. When this occurs, the peer relinquishes the desired toy and leaves the play area and/or an adult intervenes and provides Tim with excessive negative attention.

Hypothesis Statement Billy will use tantrums to request a social interaction. Billy will initiate a chase game or request to be held by pulling the adult’s hand or positioning the adult. If the adult does not comply, Billy will cry loudly, scream, and bring his hands to his face or ears. Often the adult will comply with his request or pick him up.

Hypothesis Statement Marcia tantrums to escape moving to a new activity. When she is asked to transition from an activity (e.g., playing in the sandbox) to another activity, she will whine, cry, pretend to vomit, slap at the adult, and scream. When she does this, the adult lets her stay a little longer with the original activity or picks her up kicking and screaming.

Not Sure About the Hypothesis? What would make the challenging behavior stop? Is it something you would provide or allow the child to access? Or is there something to remove? Or can you allow the child to leave? If still unsure, collect more data in the same context. Some challenging behavior may have the same form but serve multiple functions. Some challenging behaviors may begin around one function (e.g., escape) and continue to serve another function (e.g., gain attention).

Working as a Collaborative Team Assign roles. Determine agenda and time for meetings. Ensure group participation through facilitation and participatory processes.

Roles Facilitator – person who guides group in stating agenda, work goals, time allocation Recorder – person who writes down the discussion Time Keeper – Person who tracks time and warns when agenda item is ending Reporter – person who shares group information, makes presentation Encourager – person who provides feedback to group members Jargon-buster – person who asks the question “what do you mean when you say ‘gobbley-gook’ and helps the group with communicating clearly

Hypothesis Development Assign roles. Review child description, observation, and interview. Complete final page of interview. Determine functions of challenging behavior. Write hypothesis statement for at least one function. Report to group.

Major Messages 1.Challenging behavior has meaning for the child. 2.Children use behavior to access something or someone (obtain/request) or avoid something or someone (escape/protest). 3.The process of Functional Assessment is used to determine the function or purpose of challenging behavior. 4.Hypotheses statements describe the triggers, challenging behavior, maintaining consequences, and function.