Dealing with Bad Behavior! Successful Strategies for Parents and Teachers

Dr Douglas DiRaddio PhD, BSD School Psychologist
Dr Kristen Herzel PhD, private practice


Dr DiRaddio spoke about 2 ways to access behavior

1. FBA - Functional Behavior Assessment
2. ILI - Initial line of Inquiry
Dr DiRaddio spoke how inappropriate behavior serves a purpose for the child
All behavior is learned
Must look at:
Why the child is doing the behavior
Must treat the function of the behavior

Most teachers and schools have tools to deal with challenging behaviors.
Who needs to attend the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA):
• Parents
• Teachers
• maybe child
• Maybe anyone who comes in contact with the child
For the Initial line of Inquiry
Look at the “ABCs”
A- Anacedants of the behavior prior to the behavior B- Behavior setting, C- What are the Consequences to the behavior

Treat behavior with Reinforcement and bribery
1. Bribery _ Give the reward before the behavior is done
2. Reinforcement – Give the reward after he demonstrates good behavior
Analyzing behavior what to look at. Look at the child’s environment as a third party participant Suggest a behavior support plan Collect data Provide prevention strategies for the behavior not to occur Give the consequences Find out what function the behavior supplies for the child
1. To obtain or get something
2. Escape instruction or avoid something
3. Serves as a way to communicate externally or internally
4. To have Power and control the situation
Kirsten Herzel spoke

In a FBA you need to look at behavior based on Developmental and learning skills.

Even if the child has mild learning needs – changes in classroom routines

Restructure classroom around child

Must be a good match with child and teacher

With regards with consequences, make sure the consequences are something the child thinks is a punishment. The reinforces must reinforce

Question and Answers from the panel:
• How long has the FBA been around? A long time



• Different abbreviations:
  • ABA – Applied Behavior Analysis
  >
  • BMP – Behavior Management Plan
  • FBA – Functional Behavior Analysis
Dr. DiRaddo's Handout
Dr. Hetzel's Handout