1. UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY Keys to Encouraging Positive Behavior

2. “Sam seems to understand clearly. He should be able to control his behaviors.”

3. “It’s not right for one child to disrupt the rest of the class’ learning experience”

4. “The other parents are upset.”

5. “I’m worried that someone will get hurt”

6. “He doesn’t belong in our Sunday School program”

7. A family the Church has rejected, feels rejected by God.

8. An IRRESISTIBLE church makes every effort to unlock the behavior mystery and facilitate positive behavior outcomes so that every child, teen, and adult can learn about Jesus.

9. 4 Keys to Unlocking the Mystery 1.Understanding behavior 2.Prevention 3.Intervention 4.Maximizing the Calm after the Storm

10. Understanding Behavior #1

11. Behavior is Communication S ensory or Medical A ccess F rustration E scape

12. Understanding Sensory Overload

13. Understanding a Critical Difference T antrumMeltdown

14. A result of autism or a willful choice?

15. Keys to Success Prioritizing Prevention Intervention/Diffusing an Outburst Maximize the Calm after the Storm #2 #3 #4

16. Key #2: Prevention A person who constantly melts down is in the wrong environment, or they have the wrong support for the environment they are in.

17. Prevention Be informed Study past behaviors Create and Communicate a Plan Watch for Early Signs of Anxiety Gather Tools (visual supports, buddy bag, reward systems, alternative activities)

18. Visual Support

19. FIRST-THEN Wall charts With words or icons Apps

20. Individual Visual schedules

21. Emoticons

22. Classroom Visual Schedule Made with pictures and words Movable with Velcro or magnets Helpful to indicate what’s now and what’s next

23. Visual Parameters

24. Timers Desktop Timers Activity Timers with colored sections Countdown Apps Disappearing Clocks

25. More simple fixes for Common Antecedents Stay calm, get on the child’s level, and use simple language Give Choices Maintain a Set Schedule Communicate Clearly When the Schedule will change Prepare for transitions

26. Key #2: Intervention/Diffusing an Outburst Stay calm and remember your plan Do not reinforce intentional negative behaviors This is not the time to try to teach

27. Maximizing The Calm after the storm

28. Communicating with Parents Heart check—am I ready to say, “We love having your child in SS and will work with you to make this successful”? Honest but optimistic Avoid statements that judge the child as “bad” or otherwise lacking value Work towards partnership

29. When extreme behavior persists Maintain Safety Discover what’s working other places Partner with child’s behavioral team Consider Break-out room/alternative learning spaces Find alternative ways of support if you cannot keep children and volunteers safe

30. Tommy’s* Story *name has been changed

31. Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”

32. Questions and Answers