Let's start with a simple one! Little Suzy wants to watch TV and doesn't want it taken away. How would you define the behavior? What do you see? hear?

1. whining - high-pitched voice with a drawn-out tone

2. crying without tears - contracted face, distressed vocalizations

3. flopping - body going limp and sliding to the floor

Would you want to track each of those behaviors separately or do you think that it would be more useful to track them together under an umbrella term?

Since they are all occurring together, it would probably be more efficient (think do-able!) to create one definition. 

"Protesting Behavior" is defined as any instance of Suzy whining, crying, and/or flopping. 

For measuring purposes, we'll need to know what "counts" as one instance or episode. When does the behavior begin and end?

The behavior begins when any of these behaviors occurs and ends when Suzy is calm for 10 seconds (e.g., no vocal protest, upright posture, neutral or quiet tone).

Examples:

• Suzy whines, “Nooo, I want more!” in a high-pitched voice and then flops to the floor after being told to turn off the TV. 

• Suzy cries without tears and makes loud vocal protests while flopping off the chair when the remote is taken away. 

• After being denied more screentime, Suzy flops and remains on the floor while intermittently whining and crying without tears for two minutes 

Non-examples:

• Suzy calmly asks, “Can I finish the episode?” 

• Suzy lays on the floor during a game of pretend sleep

• Suzy cries real tears after bumping her knee 

Next let's look at our friend Riker. He likes his iPad (that doesn't even look like it's on in the video!) and he definitely doesn't like doing math. How would you define the behavior? What do you see? hear?

1. slamming open hand on table with force that creates a loud sound

2. crumpling paper by scrunching it in one or both hands

3. throwing paper on the floor

4. yelling "no!" above a conversational volume level

Would you want to track each of those behaviors separately or do you think that it would be more useful to track them together under an umbrella term?

Since they are all occuring together, it would probably be more efficient (think do-able!) to create one definition. 

"Task Refusal" is defined as any instance of Riker slamming the table with an open hand, crumbling his paper, throwing his paper, and/or yelling. 

For measuring purposes, we'll need to know what "counts" as one instance or episode. When does the behavior begin and end?

The behavior begins when Riker engages in any one of the defined actions. The behavior ends when none of the defined behaviors occur for 10 consecutive seconds and the Riker is no longer actively protesting or engaging in escalated refusal (e.g., is seated calmly, no yelling or aggressive gestures).

Examples:

• When asked to start a worksheet, Riker yells “No!” and throws the paper to the floor.

• The teacher gives a math assignment and Riker slams his hand on the table and crumples the paper.

• During writing time, Riker crumples the paper, shouts “No!” and pushes it to the floor.

Non-examples:

• Riker sighs loudly and folds his arms when handed an assignment.

• Riker rips a blank piece of paper during free time .

• During a game, Riker throws paper in the trash and says “No” while laughing.

Next let's add in some peers with our friend Jace in the red shirt pushing the toy truck. How would you define the behavior? What do you see? hear?

1. hitting any part of a peer's body with an open hand            

2. scratching any part of a peer's body with fingernails or fingertips making a dragging or scrapping motion

Would you want to track each of those behaviors separately or do you think that it would be more useful to track them together under an umbrella term?

In this situation, you could combine them into physical aggression towards peers or leave them separate. In practice, it may be difficult to tell the difference between the hitting and scratching when it's happening in real time with no video to review. 

"Aggressive Contact with Peers" is defined as any successful and/or unsuccessful attempt to use physical force toward a peer in a potentially harmful fashion, including hitting with an open hand and scratching with the fingernails or fingertips. 

For measuring purposes, each attempt, whether or not he was actually able to make physical contact, will count as one instance of the behavior.

Examples:

• Jace slaps a peer’s arm with an open hand during a disagreement over a toy.

• Jace reaches out and scratches at a peer’s back, even though the peer is wearing a sweatshirt.

• After being told “no,” Jace uses his fingernails to drag across a peer’s hand while attempting to grab a toy.

Non-examples:

• Jace bumps into a peer accidentally while walking to the carpet.

• Jace reaches toward a peer’s toy but doesn’t make physical contact.

• Jace waves his hands around in frustration but doesn’t hit or scratch anyone.