Understanding Behavior Challenge & Its Motivations

One of the many things I learn during my journey with my young child with Autism was that on some days, the only predictable thing about it is the unpredictability; the only consistent attribute-the inconsistency. He may look normal but behavior can be perplexing and downright difficult.

The most critical step in attempting to solve behavior problems isto identify WHY the behavior difficulties exist. Unless you know why a problem is occurring, you will have difficulty finding a goodlong term solution.

Sometimes the answer is obvious. Sometimes it takes considerable detective work.

To help understand the distinction between "can't" & "won't", we have to recognise the 2 attributes namely:-

- All behavior is communication

- That it happens for a reason

Using the following 6 reasons for any behavior challenge may lead to better evaluation of the child in attention:-

1) Resistant/avoidant:- Either the child doesn't know how to do or is unpleasant to him for a reason you do not perceive such as sensory overload. Avoidant behaviors frequently stem from lack of understanding and fear of failure. It is therefore critical to support the child to maximize his success where it matters most, so that he is motivated to work, to try and to strive even more for positive outcome.

2) Attention Seeking:- Your child wants an adult or peer attention. It is a fine line between giving attention to his undesirable deeds and to reinforce his appropriate behavior.

3) Self-Regulation:- the child may be attempting to calm or alert over or under stimulated senses, to reduce his anxiety or discomfort, which is more related to his sensory integration aspect of autism involving visual, auditory, tactile,olfactory or even gustatory.

4) Entertainment/fun:- the child may find a particular behavior amusing to himself or others. Child with ASD often has more desire for rigidity and repetitive activities, but can also be very resourceful at entertaining themselves.

5) Control:- The child may attempt to order or re-order his envrionment, their attempt to control may be confrontational/agreesive that looks like defiance or passive agressive continue to do what they wish to do iregardless of effort of re-directing behavior. We can seek opportunity to instill decision making skills and increase his choice to optimize his chance o f success in his own world.

6) Retribution:- The child may want to retaliate for treatment perceived as unfair, though the chances of such desire are very slim.

From my experience with my little STAR, I have seem & observed his motivational behavior under 1-4 randomly mostly but less of 5 & none exisitence in 6 thus far.

It is not realistic to think that we will always be able to diagnose why a child's behavior is a problem. Sometimes the reason may actually be multiple reasons. But taking the time and energy to explore the possible causes of the problems our child encounters will help create a frame work for understanding that will significantly affect the success of any attempts to change the problem behaviors.

Take this blessing to share a home work done in making a small booklet during his weekend to share the concpt of BALL:-

Winners Statement:-

" Down the road of life, you can either see obstacles coming and run the other way, or you can take these obstacles as they come, fight your way through them, and be stronger because of them."