Resolving Your Child's Challenging Behavior

A Practical Guide to Parenting With Positive Behavior Support

Authors:
Meme Hieneman, Ph.D., BCBA
Karen Elfner, M.A.
Jane Sergay, M.Ed.

About the Authors

This book was written by three women—Meme, Karen, and Jane. Each author is a parent as well as a professional with extensive experience working with children with behavioral difficulties and their families. They have children and, in some cases, grandchildren; supportive partners; networks of family and friends; and active community lives. Collectively, they have more than 95 years of professional experience.

Meme Hieneman, Ph.D., BCBA, is a consultant with Positive Behavior Support Applications, Faculty Member at Purdue University Global, and President of the Home and Community Positive Behavior Support Network, Palm Harbor, Florida.

Karen Elfner, M.A., is a Research Associate in the Department of Child and Family Studies at the University of South Florida, Tampa.

Jane Sergay, M.Ed., works in the Department of Adult and Community Education, Comprehensive Family Literacy Services, School District of Hillsborough County, Tampa Bay, Florida.

Foreword

Positive behavior support (PBS) emerged from its roots in applied behavior analysis in the late 1980s and early 1990s. PBS was developed in response to a need for effective procedures of behavior management that could be used in typical environments by typical people.

Summary of PBS Principles:

• Focusing on the big picture of a person’s lifestyle rather than simply the microscopic view of a person’s challenges.
• Ensuring that interventions and supports are valid for a person’s real life.
• Basing plans of intervention and support on a thorough assessment of the person’s behavior.
• Emphasizing teaching, antecedent arrangements, and prevention.
• Including stakeholders (family, teachers, etc.) in setting goals and conducting assessments.

Contents

1. Introduction and Overview
2. Understanding and Addressing Behavior
   • What constitutes challenging behavior
3. The Process of Positive Behavior Support
   • Establishing Goals
   • Gathering and Analyzing Information
   • Developing a Plan
   • Using the Plan
4. Stories of Positive Behavior Support
   • Zoë's Story
   • Isobel's Story
   • Michael's Story
5. Enhancing Lives Through Positive Behavior Support
   • Integrating Positive Behavior Support Into Family Life.
   • Making Positive Behavior Support Work for Everyone.
6. Resources and Bibliography

Summary: When to Address Challenging Behavior

Whether behavior is considered to be an issue needing intervention depends on its impact, the circumstances in which it occurs, and the values of the people involved. Addressing behavior involves careful consideration of perspectives, needs, and priorities.

Key Considerations:

• Severity of the behavior.
• Frequency and impact of the behavior on the child and family.
• Individual and family values.

Note to the Reader

This book is written especially for you, the parent or caregiver of a child with behavior you would like to see improve. Applying the concepts in this book will help you utilize a problem-solving process called positive behavior support (PBS) to resolve your child’s challenging behavior and improve your family life in general.

Understanding and Addressing Behavior

Challenging behaviors can include:

• Dangerous: Could hurt self or others (e.g., biting).
• Destructive: May result in property damage (e.g., breaking things).
• Disruptive: Upsets harmony (e.g., loud arguing).
• Disgusting: Leads to social disapproval (e.g., nose picking).
• Developmentally inappropriate: Not typical for the child's age (e.g., excessive crying at an older age).

Activity: Prioritizing Behaviors

List each of your child’s behaviors of concern, ranking them from 1 (greatest concern) to 5 (least concern).

Impact of Behavior Challenges

• Delay of Learning and Development: Interference with learning opportunities.
• Disruption of Family Life: Stress in family dynamics.
• Damage to Relationships: Cumulative effect on interactions.

Conclusion

PBS aids families in addressing behavioral challenges through structured support frameworks to encourage desired behaviors while preventing undesired behaviors. The guide encompasses practical steps and perspectives for parents and caregivers to implement PBS effectively in their homes.