A Social Behavior Map helps students understand what expected and unexpected behaviors look like (i.e., examples and non-examples). Not only do they learn how their actions make them feel about themselves, but they learn how it makes others feel about them. Moreover, through this strategy, they begin to understand the idea of natural consequences. Social Behavior Maps can be displayed using a flowchart to help students visually see the impact of their behaviors in different settings.

It is important for students with learning disabilities to understand cause and effect relationships, as it relates to behavior(s) and consequence(s). Students must understand that their actions not only affect themselves, but others as well. Using a Social Behavior Map will help students see the direct relationship that exists between expectations, perspectives, and consequences.

To promote generalization, the Social Behavior Map can be used school-wide. Teachers and staff members can consistently use familiar language. Instead of associating behavior with the child (i.e., bad child,) behaviors can be connected to expectations (i.e., expected and unexpected behaviors). For example, instead of saying a student is bad, teachers can say the student demonstrates unexpected behavior. This language not only changes a teacher’s perspective of the child, but the child’s perspective of him/herself.