“If a child doesn’t know how to read, we teach.”
“If a child doesn’t know how to swim, we teach.”
“If a child doesn’t know how to multiply, we teach.”
“If a child doesn’t know how to behave, we…..Punish."
John Herner, National Association of State Directors of Special Education President 1998-1999
I recently had the opportunity to conduct a teacher training. Staff training is my favorite part of my job, but particularly when I get to speak to teachers. I believe that all educators (not just special ed teachers) can benefit from an understanding of ABA and behavior management in order to effectively run their classrooms.
Every time I get to train or consult with educators, I get to spread the word about ABA. I get to emphasize that those annoying, frustrating, "nonsense" behaviors are functional for the child. Simply punishing behavior will not bring about true success. Problem behaviors are opportunities to teach, and impart wisdom to the child that they may use for the rest of their lives.
Instead of looking at problem behaviors and thinking about what you want the child to STOP doing, try looking at problem behaviors and thinking about what skill you could teach to replace those disruptive and challenging behaviors happening in your classroom.