| Behavior is something which all children display in one | | | | example we are going to say the question was 'What |
| form or another. Our child's behavior tells those around | | | | is 2 + 2?' This family's child did not understand the |
| them many things about their wants, needs, and | | | | question. Their child did not even know how to answer |
| desires. The most important thing to understand about | | | | the teacher. |
| behavior is that it is a form of communication. It is a | | | | The first thing their child did was to become withdrawn. |
| complicated form of communication, but a truly basic | | | | The well meaning teacher went closer to the child and |
| one. | | | | asked again. Now this family's child became |
| Typical children are much better at verbal | | | | aggressive and used some really choice curse words. |
| communication skills than children with Autism. Typical | | | | A little understanding of a child with Autism and |
| children do not always rely on physical behavior to | | | | communication can help this situation. If a parent and |
| relate a message. Often, children with Autism are | | | | teacher wish to change this undesirable behavior they |
| telling us a lot with their behavior. They can be giving | | | | need to replace it. This is done by teaching a child a |
| an answer, asking a question or expressing a | | | | different technique or method of getting what they |
| frustrated response. | | | | want. |
| Some behaviors expressed by children with Autism | | | | Tell the child with autism that when they do not |
| may be appropriate or inappropriate depending on the | | | | understand what someone is asking they can raise |
| situation. Inappropriate behaviors give a negative | | | | their hand. This is a technique to let the adult know |
| aspect to our children's learning experience. | | | | what is going on. Another technique is to teach the |
| It does not matter if the negative behavior occurs in a | | | | child to say a special word or phrase instead of |
| social situation or academic situation. A negative | | | | cursing. This also gives adults involved a cue that they |
| behavior must be dealt with in so a child with Autism | | | | are feeling frustrated. |
| can acquire as much information as possible. Some | | | | Then everyone involved has to understand if they do |
| undesired behaviors can not be eliminated. In that case | | | | not respond to those cues the behavior will escalate. |
| those behaviors should be exchanged with desirable | | | | These are two simple but possibly effective way to |
| behaviors the child can use. | | | | help or change behavior in a positive way. Changing or |
| One of the stories a family related to me was a | | | | shaping the behavior will help the child with autism have |
| teacher who was asking their child a question. Just for | | | | an environment more in line with their learning needs. |