Promoting performance of replacement behaviors and eliminating triggers for target behaviors (e.g., changes to instruction, prompting, schedule, physical environment, etc.).
When determining which prevention strategies to use, ask yourself these questions:
What strategies have worked in the past?
The student is getting something from their target behavior(s) — they're getting out of a task they don't like. How can we provide that opportunity proactively?
What triggers (e.g., environmental, interpersonal) typically precede the target behavior(s)? How can we minimize or eliminate those triggers?
What resources are available to implement these strategies with fidelity (e.g., assistive technology, teacher:student ratio, paraprofessional)?
Examples below.
NOTE: Many of these strategies are Tier 1 (universal) best practices.
At the Tier 3 or SpEd level, we're using them more deliberately, sometimes with adaptations.
EFFECTIVE COMMANDS: In [insert class(es)] when delivering an instruction to XXX, staff will (1) Position themselves in close proximity to XXX, (2) gain their eye contact before delivering demands, (3) break down the tasks into precisely stated component steps, (4) keep the demands short and simple, (5) deliver demands in a quiet tone of voice using a neutral, matter-of-fact tone, (6) present demands as directives and avoid “question demands,” (7) use start commands rather than stop commands, (8) avoid long explanations or justifications, and (9) give XXX at least five seconds to start responding.
STORIFICATION: During whole group instruction in [insert class(es)], teachers will leverage opportunities to present lesson content using elements of story structure (i.e., framing the content using character, conflict, complication, and/or causality).
“CHUNKING” WORK: When instructing XXX to complete a task in [subject areas], staff will instruct XXX to complete [specify time on task or amount of the task]. After the expectation is met, staff will allow them to take a [#] minute break before moving onto the next chunk of the task.
DURATION MAP: During seat work in [insert class(es)], school staff will use a duration map to visually communicate to XXX the duration of time left before the activity is complete. Staff will flexibly adjust the real time duration of the activity based on assessment of [describe characteristics of the activity and/or the student’s behavioral indicators that typically precede noncompliance].
VARIED ACTIVITIES: During all instructional activities in [insert class(es)], teachers will alternate between different modes of activity (e.g., computer-based activities, group-based activities, seat work, etc.).
PROVIDE CHOICES: When XXX is being presented with instructional demands, school staff will proactively provide XXX with planned opportunities to make choices (e.g., order of the task sequence, form of task that XXX will use to demonstrate mastery, etc.). Staff will provide XXX with two or more options and wait time to make a decision before checking back.
CONNECT COURSE MATERIAL TO INTERESTS: During all instructional activities in [insert class(es)], school staff will use natural opportunities to incorporate XXX’s interests. This may include adjusting work expectations (e.g., allowing XXX to write about a preferred topic) but also includes verbally referencing connections between course material and XXX’s interests.
BEHAVIORAL MOMENTUM: Prior to instructing XXX to engage in a non-preferred/difficult task, school staff will instruct them to complete [at least three] preferred tasks or task components with a high probability of compliance. After completing a non-preferred task, staff will initiate a more preferred task in order to alternate between preference/difficulty levels.
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING: During [independent work time in [insert class]], school staff will check XXX’s work for understanding at a rate approximately [twice] as quickly as a typical student’s work would be checked.
FOSTER RATIONALE: During the presentation of new lesson content and when XXX demonstrates [describe early indicators of disengagement], school staff will provide a rationale for school tasks or activities that is relevant to XXX’s everyday life or future goals. Staff will prompt XXX to make their own connections (e.g., “What do you hope to get out of this unit?”)
ADVANCED PROMPTS PRIOR TO TRANSITION: At least [#] minutes prior to an activity transition, school staff will provide XXX with a [verbal/visual/gestural] prompt regarding the transition.
*Consider the individual student, as advanced prompts can be a trigger for some students.*
PREVENTATIVE REMINDERS: Prior to activity transitions, school staff will (1) briefly preview what the group is about to do and (2) remind XXX of behavior expectations. For example, “We’re about to start working at our desks on this math worksheet. I need you to focus your attention on your work, ignore distractions, and raise your hand before speaking. That will help everyone get their work done.”
**Recommended for inclusion in IEP rather than BSP: Make accommodations and/or modifications to the length and format of academic tasks to ensure that they are appropriate for the student’s skill level. Make these adjustments proactively. Do not modify tasks immediately following undesired behavior such that the student can draw a causal relationship between their undesired behavior and the task expectations being changed.
**Recommended for inclusion in IEP rather than BSP: Provide different response methods (oral, written, pictures, graphs).