Some children have a difficult time adjusting to the rules and regulations that have to be followed in the classroom. They may be inattentive, disruptive, and have trouble getting along with teachers and classmates. If you are the parent of a child with behavioral issues, you have probably already met with teachers, school psychologists, and administrators. When normal remedies are unsuccessful, these professionals may suggest taking functional behavior assessment steps.
As the parent, you need to understand exactly what a functional behavior assessment, or FBA, is and how the process works. This is not done to punish or single out an unruly child. Educators generally love the kids they work with and, when they are struggling, want to find ways to help. That involves discovering the reasons behind the unacceptable behaviors and developing a comprehensive plan to turn negative behaviors into positive ones.
A lot of times the school psychologist is chosen to lead the FBA team. She meets with educators and others who frequently interact with your child to get their thoughts on the situation. She will meet privately with your little one and might do some behavioral testing. Administrators, special education and classroom teachers, the child, and the parent are usually members of the team.
In order to assess inappropriate behaviors, they must be defined. Words like inappropriate or disruptive are not specific enough to work with. The professionals need detailed descriptions of incidents that have happened in and out of the classroom. The more specific information they can gather, the easier it will be to formulate a plan for change.
Analyzing the data is the next step. The experts are looking for clues to the reasons behind the behaviors. They analyze when and where instances occur and how often. They want to know if there are common factors at play immediately preceding an incident, and if particular people might trigger an inappropriate outburst. Conversely, specialists analyze the times when the child is calm and happy. They try to find out whether this happens at certain times, in certain places, or around specific people.
With the data they have gathered, the professionals are usually ready to try and get to the root of the behaviors. This can be difficult and time consuming. Some children act out when they feel threatened, frightened, or confused, and want to avoid or escape those feelings. The way they behave is their attempt to do that.
The final step in the process is the intervention plan. This plan involves creating an atmosphere conducive to promoting positive behaviors and then rewarding this child for his cooperation. Sometimes this plan includes restructuring teaching methods, changing the physical environment, varying or stabilizing routines, and changing consequences for continued inappropriate behavior. The appropriate person will sit with your child to discuss the changes being made and what will be expected of him going forward.
Childhood is not easy for everybody. Some kids have issues that make classrooms places that bring out destructive and inappropriate responses. When adults, in and out of the academic world, work together, a troubled child can begin to thrive.
As the parent, you need to understand exactly what a functional behavior assessment, or FBA, is and how the process works. This is not done to punish or single out an unruly child. Educators generally love the kids they work with and, when they are struggling, want to find ways to help. That involves discovering the reasons behind the unacceptable behaviors and developing a comprehensive plan to turn negative behaviors into positive ones.
A lot of times the school psychologist is chosen to lead the FBA team. She meets with educators and others who frequently interact with your child to get their thoughts on the situation. She will meet privately with your little one and might do some behavioral testing. Administrators, special education and classroom teachers, the child, and the parent are usually members of the team.
In order to assess inappropriate behaviors, they must be defined. Words like inappropriate or disruptive are not specific enough to work with. The professionals need detailed descriptions of incidents that have happened in and out of the classroom. The more specific information they can gather, the easier it will be to formulate a plan for change.
Analyzing the data is the next step. The experts are looking for clues to the reasons behind the behaviors. They analyze when and where instances occur and how often. They want to know if there are common factors at play immediately preceding an incident, and if particular people might trigger an inappropriate outburst. Conversely, specialists analyze the times when the child is calm and happy. They try to find out whether this happens at certain times, in certain places, or around specific people.
With the data they have gathered, the professionals are usually ready to try and get to the root of the behaviors. This can be difficult and time consuming. Some children act out when they feel threatened, frightened, or confused, and want to avoid or escape those feelings. The way they behave is their attempt to do that.
The final step in the process is the intervention plan. This plan involves creating an atmosphere conducive to promoting positive behaviors and then rewarding this child for his cooperation. Sometimes this plan includes restructuring teaching methods, changing the physical environment, varying or stabilizing routines, and changing consequences for continued inappropriate behavior. The appropriate person will sit with your child to discuss the changes being made and what will be expected of him going forward.
Childhood is not easy for everybody. Some kids have issues that make classrooms places that bring out destructive and inappropriate responses. When adults, in and out of the academic world, work together, a troubled child can begin to thrive.
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