What to do with aggressive children Rachel J. Valleley, Ph.D. Munroe-Meyer Institute Nebraska Medical Center

Review of Essentials of Learning Predictability Practice Contrast Increase the good as well as decrease the bad

Types of aggression Verbal Physical Tantrums Property Destruction Self-Injurious Behavior

Steps for addressing Aggressive Behavior 1. Gather Baseline Data: How often 2. Identify why behavior is occurring (function) 3.Pick strategies that do not reinforce aggression based upon function 4. Reinforce alternative behaviors

Gather Baseline Data Important to know how often occurring so can tell if intervention is decreasing aggression over time Helps with identifying function Helps determine criteria for earning reinforcers to ensure success

Why does aggression occur? To get what want To get out of what don’t want to do Self-stimulation

Methods for identifying why occurring Keep track of incidents and what is occurring around incident –What happens before –What happens after Functional Analysis: generally only done with severe cases and by someone trained

Why not to reason when disciplining May not understand Understanding does not equal doing Learn better through experience Create bigger effect for bad behavior When emotions are high, message lost Talking leads to arguing Become dependent on someone else to calm down

Increasing the Good Frequent, intermittent attention for other behavior Use dot-to-dots, magic circle charts, grab bags for aggression-free periods of time (use baseline data to start) Child’s Game to build relationship

Types of Consequences to decrease the bad Natural Related Unrelated

Unrelated Consequences Two Popular Procedures: –Time Out –Job Card Grounding

What is time out? Time out is the removal of attention, tangibles, or anything interesting to the child for a brief amount of time.

Misconceptions and mistakes with time out –Not the chair –Have to sit quietly before time starts –1 minute per year –Think about what did wrong and feel sorry –Talking to child in time out –Not expecting extinction burst

How to do Time Out –Stop talking once told “Time Out” –Get to chair/spot with minimal guidance –Do not attend to anything in time out –Stay close enough to monitor but be aloof –Child serves 2-3 minutes –Let child out –Follow up with expecting appropriate behavior

Common problems with Time Out The child won’t go/stay in time out The child does not seem to care that they are in time out The child will not be quiet in time out The child won’t get out of time out

Time out for aggression and rule infractions Do not use warning Look for positive behavior immediately following time out to praise. Create contrast!!

What is job card grounding? Discipline program which requires children to earn their way off grounding, rather than simply waiting for time to pass.

Job Card Grounding Common uses of job card grounding –Arguing –Noncompliance –Rule infractions

Set up for Job Card Grounding –Develop Daycare rules Do what you are told Be respectful –Develop list of jobs –Develop list of rewards –Set criteria for earning reward

Job Card Procedure Rule infraction earns job card Grounded from all privileges until job is complete Once job is done, no more discussion of misbehavior Reward for following rules

Trouble Shooting Job Card Grounding –What if child argues when given job card? –What if grounding seems to be lasting an excessively long time? –What do you do regarding extracurricular activities or leaving for day?

Recommendations for Biting What could be done given what we have described for addressing biting? –Function? –How often? –Possible interventions?

How to teach behavioral skills in daycare Do Child’s Game with new children to build relationship while others napping Use dot-to-dot and compliance training practices for any new child or anytime you notice an increase in noncompliance Use time out/job cards predictably

How to teach behavioral skills in daycare Have grab bags for 2 or fewer time outs/job cards a day Use sticker chart for every good day and after X number of stickers, earn grab bag Set timer to cue giving frequent bursts to all those who are doing something okay

Summary of Teaching Important Behavioral Skills Predictability Practice Contrast Just as important to increase appropriate behaviors as it is to decrease inappropriate behaviors