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Community Trips & Challenging Behaviors Part 2

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This is part 2 of a 4 part series during which I share some tips and suggestions for successful community outings in the face of challenging behaviors.  At the end of each post, there will be a FREE download to help you take this information and put it into action.

So, this post is all about the BEHAVIOR.  I know it can be an uncomfortable topic to focus on.  No one likes to talk about the times we, or our loved ones, are at their worst.  But, if we ask the right questions, it can truly help to diminish the likelihood we will have to deal with this potentially scary and dangerous situation in a crowded aisle in the middle of Wal-Mart.

I cover lots of questions in the handout, but in summary, we need to consider:

  1. Are there any triggers?
    • Crowds
    • Sounds
    • Smells
    • Temperature changes
    • Lighting
    • Key words or phrases
  2. What does the behavior look like?
    • Signs an annoying behavior may be escalating
    • Self injurious
    • Targeting others (staff or strangers)
    • Destruction of property
    • Targeting animals
  3. How long does it last?
    • From start to end
    • Follow-up outbursts
    • Recovery period

This video clip is about 10 minutes and addresses these issues in more detail and I share some personal experiences I have had with my own son, Jimmy, and some of my students.

I hope you now see the value in asking these often difficult and emotional questions.  Click on the button below to download the free list of questions to consider.

behavior download

 

Community Trips & Challenging Behaviors Part 1

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There is a big push here in Pennsylvania to work more towards a true inclusive community.  If your loved one receives support services, there is a goal for these services being provided in the local community setting for 75% of that individual’s day.  It is a noble goal, and something that seems like common sense.  But, for those of us with individuals with challenging behaviors, it also sounds really scary.  We want to ensure that our loved ones are accepted as valued members of their community, but we also want them AND others to be safe.  So, what can we as teachers and service providers do to make this dream a reality?

This is part 1 of a 4 part series during which I share some tips and suggestions for successful community outings in the face of challenging behaviors.  At the end of each post, there will be a FREE download to help you take this information and put it into action.

Venn Diagram person

Part 1 of this series focuses on getting to know the person.  I am talking about REALLY getting to know the person.  This will take some time, but that is okay.  Especially if there is a history of struggles in the community, families will appreciate the fact you are willing to take a step back and really try to understand the situation.  This also means talking to lots of people:

  • the individual
  • parents
  • siblings
  • extended family
  • friends
  • community members who know the individual

Of course, all this is done with permission of the individual and the parents.  However, if we really want to understand why this behavior occurs and how we can be most successful, we need to gather information from as many sources as possible.

So, take a look at the list of questions I have provided by clicking here or on the image below.  You can never know too much about the person you are working with.

Getting to Know the Person download