2. Addressing Barriers to Learning Using Behavioral Techniques Mental Health in the Schools Series: Module I

3. Objectives Identify Risk/Protective Factors Identify the Problematic Behavior Practice Collecting Data Identify the Function of Behavior Identify Interventions that Teach Replacement Behaviors Cultural Awareness

4. Risk Factors/Barriers to Learning Early Development Disorders Family Stressors Experiential Stressors

5. Protective Factors: Building blocks of healthy development that help young people grow up well balanced, caring, and responsible. Early DevelopmentEarly Development Quality of Family/HomeQuality of Family/Home Quality of ChildQuality of Child Competence and ConfidenceCompetence and Confidence

6. Cultural Awareness KNOW YOUR STUDENTS! Be aware of the impact of your own culture and world views Recognize that cultural differences exist WITHIN ethnic groups Enhance students’ self-image, motivation, and cultural pride Initiate home-school collaboration

7. Defining the Problem

8. When Problems Occur… 1. Identify a Target Behavior a. Define Target Behavior (measurable & observable) b. Collect data (consistency) 2. Utilize Support Services 3. Communicate with the Student (In Private!) 4. Contract with the Student

9. Data collection time

10. Analysis of Data to Determine the Function of Behavior What do you think the student gets by behaving this way? What actually happens to/for the student? What does the student avoid or get out of? Does the student’s behavior result in a power struggle?

11. Examples of Cultural Diversity Caution against STEREOTYPING! –Some cultures often have a family/community-centered perception of mental illness –Some cultures view mental health services as intrusive and “anti-family” –Some cultures view mental illness as a “test of faith” –Cultural bound syndromes –Cultural systems among gangs

12. Interventions When The Behavior Is… Attention-Seeking: (It’s a human need!) Power: (You gain power by surrendering it!) Escape: (Flight or fight)

13. Reinforcement Reinforcement is desirable to the person who receives it. The student wants the event to happen again so the teacher/staff repeats the action. ALL people seek reinforcement! Not just children or people who have some type of disability!

14. Replacement Behaviors Teaching Replacement Behavior(s) Role Play Activity Barriers? Strategies to address barriers?

15. Remember! “ For a child to learn something new you need to repeat it on the average 8 times. For a child to UNLEARN an old behavior and replace it with a new behavior, you need to repeat the new behavior on the average of 28 times. Twenty of those times are used to eliminate the old behavior and 8 of the times are used to learn the new behavior.” Harry K. Wong

16. Promoting Social Protective Factors Universal Methods: Model/Teach Create Opportunities to Practice Desired Behavior Adapt Skill to Real Life

17. Teaching Tools Second Step Character education Mini societies Small group social skills One to one instruction Peer modeling Therapy Role model (teacher) Role play Games Art projects Research projects

18. If Your Own Efforts FAIL— THE SST PROCESS A. Refer student to SST 1. Complete the Request for Intervention Assistance form 2. Collect data on PBS 2 and 3 data sheets B. First SST Meeting Review Data on PBS 3 and Summarize on PBS 4 C. Review target behavior 1. Limit the number of target behaviors 2. Remember behavior may regress initially.