Tier 3 and SpEd | Function-Based Strategies
Escape/Avoid a Non-Preferred Activity
The teaching, prevention, reinforcement, and response strategies listed below are designed to work together to "push and pull" the student away from the undesired behavior pattern and toward a new pattern that involves a positive replacement behavior.
The Behavior Flowchart Worksheet is a great tool for problem solving discussions and planning individualized behavior interventions as a team. As you review the strategies below, you could use the worksheet to organize your thoughts.
Behavior Problem Solving Flowchart Worksheet.pdf
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Teaching Behavior Expectations & Skills
What key skills will allow the student to replace the target behaviors and function more successfully? At least 1 replacement behavior must be functionally equivalent but it is appropriate to also include 1-2 desired behaviors.
Keep in mind that these are the skills we plan to teach the student and reinforce throughout the day, but it's unadvisable to try to progress monitor all of the skills we're working on with the student. When it comes to progress monitoring, choose skill(s) that will be indicative of the student's overall progress.
Functionally Equivalent Behaviors 👍
The consequence for the behavior is comparable to that of the undesired behavior it is replacing.
Making a Request
Advocating
Negotiating
Desired Behaviors 🙌
Skills we desire as a long-term replacement, but they don't accomplish, for the student, the same thing the undesired behavior does.
Accepting Decisions of Authority
Asking for Help
Being Patient
Completing Assigned Tasks
Completing Homework
Dealing with Boredom
Dealing with Failure
Disagreeing with Others
Expressing Your Feelings
Following Instructions
Identifying Your Feelings
Ignoring Distractions
Managing Stress
Setting Goals
Solving Problems
Staying on Task
Using a Growth Mindset
Using Calming Strategies
When we're providing a Tier 3 or Special Education intervention that involves explicit instruction, we want that instruction to focus in on the specific needs of the students we're working with, and we want to have enough resources so that we're able dig deep into topics — providing more repetition, explanation, practice, feedback, etc. than students receive in their Tier 1 core instruction.
To accomplish this, we generally recommend that interventionists pull lessons and activities from multiple curriculums and then craft their own units/clusters (i.e., related activities that target the same skill area).
Prevention
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).
Reinforcement
Reinforcement is anything that follows a behavior that makes it more likely the behavior will occur again in the future.
Why reinforce?: Reinforcement is critical to effective behavior intervention because we don’t just want a student to stop exhibiting an undesired behavior, we also need to promote the use of replacement, desired behaviors.
What are my options?: Below, read about five key choices that must be made when designing a reinforcement system.
What if it isn’t working?: If we’re trying to reinforce a behavior (i.e., increase its rate) and instead we’re seeing it less or the same amount, what we’re doing is not effectively reinforcing the behavior. If this is the case, revisit the questions and guidance below and make adjustments to your reinforcement system.
NOTE: Designing a reinforcement system can be a very complex process requiring thorough technical knowledge. The guidance presented below is not comprehensive and is in some cases a simplification of detailed behavioral concepts. It is intended to provide sufficient guidance to help most school teams design appropriate systems for most students. If you need additional information or support, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Social Behavior Services Coordinator.
What behaviors will we reinforce?
As you read over the options below, remember it's vital that the student is aware of what behavior they are being reinforced for, which is why providing incentives should always be paired with praise. An example of an ineffective system would be an adult discreetly adding points to a student’s point sheet without communicating with the student.
Increase the Rate of a Desired Behavior
Often, we plan to target our reinforcement on specific desired behaviors that the student is already capable of, and we want the student to use them more frequently and consistently.
For example, for a student who frequently displays noncompliant behavior, we might focus on reinforcing the desired replacement behavior of following instructions.
Shape a New Behavior
If a desired behavior is not in a student’s repertoire (i.e., they’ve never successfully demonstrated it), we will need to shape the behavior. First, we reinforce anything that resembles the behavior, then reinforce closer and closer approximations of it, and finally only reinforce the target behavior.
Lower the Rate of an Undesired Behavior
If a student exhibits a high-frequency undesired behavior, we might reinforce lower rates of the undesired behavior.
For example, for a student who blurts 15+ times in any given 10 minute span of whole group instruction, we might plan to provide reinforcement when the student lowers the rate to 10 or fewer blurts.
Reinforce "Other" Behavior
If a student exhibits a particularly intense undesired behavior, we might reinforce “other” behavior (i.e., any desired behaviors that the student engaged in so long as they did not exhibit a specific undesired behavior).
For example, if a student frequently engages in high-intensity physical aggression, we might choose to reinforce the student on an interval schedule (e.g., every 5 minutes) for having a “safe body” so long as they did not physically aggress during the interval.
What incentive options will we make available?
Incentive options fall in the same categories as the functions of behavior. We can offer students access to attention, items, activities, or sensory stimuli (positive reinforcement) or we can remove aversive attention, activities, or sensory stimuli (negative reinforcement).
Offer incentives that a student will be motivated to obtain
You can use student reinforcement interviews/preference assessments to obtain this information, and you can also simply observe the student’s preferences.
When replacing an undesired behavior, generally speaking, it is best to offer the student reinforcement options that match the function of the undesired behavior. For example, for a student who shouts to avoid an aversive activity (e.g., classwork), we could offer the student the ability to earn breaks from the activity.
However, this is not always feasible, which is one reason why it's a good idea to...
Offer a menu of different incentives
In our "earning breaks" example, if we rely exclusively on this incentive, it might involve the student missing too much classwork. Using a variety of incentive options (e.g., earning breaks, but also being able to earn preferred activities, edibles, etc.) helps us to avoid this.
Another reason to offer a varied menu: If our options are too narrow, the student can become satiated and the effectiveness of an incentive goes down.
Remember that your reinforcement system is competing against natural reinforcement
The student’s behavior is not only being reinforced by the incentive options we’re offering. Our reinforcement system is competing against natural reinforcement, such as a student’s natural opportunities to obtain peer attention or avoid aversive activities.
If our system isn’t working, we may need to offer new, more potent incentive options and/or make it easier for the student to earn them.
In addition, we can adjust our prevention and response strategies to provide the student with non-contingent reinforcement proactively (i.e., prevention strategies) and make it more difficult for the student to obtain reinforcement through engaging in undesired behavior (i.e., response strategies).
Will we use tokens or offer immediate access to the incentives?
“Token economies” involve providing a student with a token (e.g., points on a sheet, pennies, poker chips, etc.) that can be exchanged for a “backup reinforcer” (i.e., an item, activity, or attention that the student finds desirable). Students are conditioned to be reinforced by the tokens the same way that we are all conditioned to be reinforced by money.
Advantages of token economies (e.g., point cards)
Token economies offer several key advantages over offering immediate access to incentives:
They allow us to reinforce a behavior immediately after it occurs. Sometimes it would be inconvenient or disruptive to offer the back-up reinforcement (e.g., free time on an iPad) in the moment after we observe a desired behavior.
Token economies also allow us to reinforce a sequence of behaviors (e.g., picking up a coat, then buttoning a button, etc.).
Finally, token economies allow school staff to respond the same way in the moment for students who have different reinforcement preferences (i.e., we always deliver tokens, but each student receives their preferred backup reinforcer).
Consider the delay factor
Consider how frequently students can exchange their tokens for back-up reinforcers. For the reinforcement system to work effectively, students may need to have these options interspersed throughout the school day versus waiting until the end of the day.
Does it ever make sense NOT to use tokens/point cards?
Consider offering immediate access to incentives rather than a token economy when the conditioned reinforcement of the tokens has not been potent enough to compete with the natural reinforcement provided by an undesired behavior.
For example, if a student engages in physical aggression, they have been earning tokens for intervals of time where they show a “safe body,” and the rate of physical aggression is staying the same or increasing, you might consider offering immediate access to an incentive (e.g., an edible) instead of continuing to use tokens.
Will the student also be able to lose tokens/incentives?
Being able to lose tokens/incentives is called “response cost.” It is a form of negative punishment because it involves removing something preferred. In most cases, plans that include response cost are equally as effective or more effective than plans which only offer students the ability to earn tokens/incentives.
Don’t allow students to lose tokens without also offering them the opportunity to earn
For example, providing students with a set number of tokens and gradually taking them away in response to undesired behavior without also providing a corresponding opportunity to earn tokens is unlikely to be successful. You are essentially only trying to punish, and not also reinforce.
Don’t allow students to go into “token debt”
"Token debt" means allowing a student to lose tokens when they don’t have any tokens.
If this occurs, students disengage from the reinforcement system. Earning tokens isn’t an effective reinforcement and losing tokens becomes an ineffective punishment.
To prevent this from occurring, make the threshold for earning tokens realistic enough for the student that they can earn a high ratio of positive to negative tokens (3:1+).
When should response cost be avoided?
Consider avoiding response cost for students who, due to their level of cognitive functioning and/or developmental level, would struggle to grasp the concept of a “token balance” that goes up and down based on both earning and losing tokens.
Examples below.
BEHAVIOR SPECIFIC PRAISE: In all school settings when XXX demonstrates appropriate behavior, school staff will use a general praise statement (e.g., “Good job”) and then describe the appropriate behavior XXX engaged in. Staff will strive for a ratio of 5 positive interactions for every 1 negative interaction.
POINT SHEET/TOKEN ECONOMY: School staff will provide XXX with a daily point sheet and they will be able to earn points throughout their day for exhibiting appropriate behaviors. XXX will be able to use these points to purchase items or activities from an incentive menu.
DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT WITH DIRECT ACCESS: Staff will provide XXX with [incentive] after each [#] minute interval where XXX did not engage in [target behavior]. The [incentive] can be provided more quickly based on staff “reading the need.” For example, if [describe antecedent triggers], staff could provide the [incentive] on a temporarily shorter schedule.
Response
When target behaviors occur, responding in order to minimize severity and decrease the likelihood of recurrence.
When determining which response strategies to use, ask yourself these questions:
What strategies have worked in the past?
Think about what the student is currently getting when they engage in their target behavior(s) — they're getting out of a task they don't like. How can we eliminate that reinforcement so the behavior no longer "works" for them?
How can we plan responses that are appropriately gauged to the intensity of the student’s behavior?
How will we respond if the target behavior is ongoing?
How will we respond if the student exhibits agitation and needs to de-escalate?
If we are unsuccessful in interrupting the reinforcement a student receives (i.e., they do escape or avoid the task they don't like), how can we use consequences that are meaningful and logically tied to the behavior, build replacement behaviors, and repair harm in order to move on and make the target behavior less likely to recur?
What resources are available to implement these strategies with fidelity (e.g., behavior processing room, crisis team, 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.
CONTINGENT TRANSITIONS: School staff will maintain the expectation that XXX must complete a task before they are allowed to transition to a more preferred activity. Staff will set the expectation and not alter it in response to undesired behavior. If instructional control is lost, when it is recovered, staff will “read the need” and adjust parameters of the expected task based on XXX’s agitation level (e.g., consider lowering the expected # of problems they must complete before a transition).
PROXIMITY, GESTURES, AND INDIRECT VERBAL PROMPTS: In response to behaviors of minor intensity that are minimally disruptive (e.g., side comments with nearby peers, passive off-task behavior), school staff will respond initially with increased proximity and/or nonverbal cues (e.g., eye contact). If the undesired behavior does not stop, staff will progress to delivering an indirect verbal prompt, either by praising other students who are demonstrating expected behavior or by reminding the entire group of the expected behavior.
DIRECT VERBAL PROMPTS: In response to behaviors of moderate intensity (e.g., blurting, verbal defiance) or behaviors of minor intensity that recur following less intensive prompting, school staff will approach XXX and calmly, dispassionately prompt them by framing the expectation positively (i.e., something to start, not stop). For example: “XXX, if you have a question I need you to raise your hand and wait to be called on.”
PRIVATE CHATS: In response to behaviors of minor/moderate intensity that recur following direct verbal prompting, school staff will provide XXX with an opportunity to engage in a private chat, during which staff will explore the issue from XXX’s perspective (e.g., “What happened in there?”) and work cooperatively with XXX to problem solve.
AVOID POWER STRUGGLES: In all school settings, when XXX attempts to argue with an instruction, school staff will avoid power struggles by clearly stating expectations for XXX, only addressing questions related to those expectations, and avoiding engagement in a back-and-forth argument.
AVOID VERBAL/NONVERBAL TRIGGERS: In all school settings, during corrective interactions, XXX’s teachers will avoid the following behaviors: [raised voice/scowling; threatening punishments which are vague, impassioned, and/or are unlikely to be enforced; one-sided lecturing; mocking, sarcasm, or making jokes at XXX’s expense; minimizing/trivializing XXX’s issue; or using presumptive phrases (e.g., "I know how you feel.")].
OFFER “COOL DOWN” TIME: In all school settings, if instructional control is compromised during corrective interactions, school staff will pause the verbal interaction and prompt XXX to use a calming strategy.
REALITY STATEMENTS: In all school settings, if instructional control is compromised during corrective interactions, school staff will set parameters around a perceived or expressed need. For example: "Why don’t you lower your voice. That will keep the conversation between the two of us" or "Why don’t you take a deep breath. This doesn’t have to get any bigger."
COUPLING STATEMENTS: In all school settings, if instructional control is compromised during corrective interactions, school staff will pair a specific description of the undesired behavior with a specific description of an appropriate replacement behavior. For example: "Right now you’re yelling. A better choice would be to lower your voice."
CHOICE STATEMENTS: In all school settings, if instructional control is compromised during corrective interactions, school staff will offer XXX at least two appropriate options to choose from and then provide wait time.
REFERRAL FOLLOWING DISRUPTION: In all school settings, when XXX exhibits undesired behavior of an intensity, frequency, and/or duration that is significantly disruptive to their peers, XXX’s teacher will verbally prompt them to transition to the behavior resource room.
TRANSITION WHEN AGITATED: In all school settings, when XXX exhibits observable early indicators of agitation (e.g., [insert student-specific indicators - e.g., grimacing, hand-wringing, fidgeting, loud breathing, unbroken or diminished eye contact], their teachers will verbally prompt them to transition to the behavior resource room.
ONGOING LACK OF INSTRUCTIONAL CONTROL: If noncompliance and other undesired behaviors are ongoing: on an interval schedule of [#] minutes, school staff will prompt XXX using a de-escalation strategy but will otherwise not engage with XXX while monitoring them.
List observable behaviors associated with this response level - e.g., passively not following the direction; sitting and not doing what is asked; not disrupting others
List staff response strategies for this specific level - e.g., Only acknowledge desired behaviors, Redirect to task using visuals and “first, then” language, Verbally reinforce approximations of expected behavior, If continuing, verbally and visually prompt after 30 seconds, and each 4 minutes following this
*NOTE: Add additional levels of intensity. When possible, correspond levels to the student’s self-regulation levels/tool (e.g., 5 Point Scale)*
Once XXX is no longer exhibiting aggression or noncompliance staff will [list staff response strategies]
**Not recommended for inclusion in BSP: Communicate with the student’s parents. Dispassionately enforce a consistent homework consequence to maintain the expectation that the student completes the activity.