INFORMATION SECTION: BEHAVIOR
INTRODUCTION

Some "misbehavior" is normal

Any child can engage in behavior that is undesirable or inappropriate. Indeed, some "inappropriate" behaviors are characteristic of developmental stages and are therefore "appropriate" developmentally (think of how we talk about "The Terrible Two's" or the rebelliousness of adolescents).

When a child or adolescent has been diagnosed as having a neurobehavioral condition, however, parents and teachers may find themselves falling into the morass of trying to determine whether what they're seeing is voluntary behavior or a symptom of the child's condition and whether to or how to attempt to modify it.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What Do You Mean by "Behavior?"
Leslie E. Packer, PhD (revised, 2004)
An overview for parents and teachers when considering behavior modification

Is Behavior Modification Appropriate?
Leslie E. Packer, PhD, 2004
How to decide whether and how to use behavior modification

Hone Your Skills (or PDF File)
Leslie E. Packer, PhD, 2002
Some practical tips for parents and teachers to improve your effective use of praise and reprimands

Does Behavior Pass "The Acid Test?"
(
PDF File)
Leslie E. Packer, PhD (revised 2004)
If it doesn't pass this test, why are you implementing a behavior modification plan?

Pitfalls in School-Based Behavior Modification Plans
(
PDF File)
Leslie E. Packer, PhD, 2002
Discussion of common errors that are made in the implementation of behavior modification plans

Functional Behavior Assessment: Overview for Parents
Leslie E. Packer, PhD, 2004
Explanation of what schools are supposed to do in designing interventions for problem behavior

Reflections of a Former "Rat-Runner" (PDF File)
Leslie E. Packer, PhD, 1998 (revised 2002)
Applying my professional behavior skills to my own family leads to some realizations and a change in my approach...

Relax!
Leslie E. Packer, PhD, 1998
A simple breathing-based technique that you can use or teach to someone

Bullying:

Preventing Bullying (or PDF File)
Linda Lumsden, 2002
Prevalence of bullying and strategies

Bullying in Adolescence: The Role of the Peer Group (PDF File)
Dorothy L. Espelage, 2002
Teens and bullying

Bullying Among Children and Youth with Disabilities and Special Needs (PDF File)
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, 2005
Some statistics and information

 

Links
Other sites with information related to the topics in this section

Other Topics:

Suspending Disbelief (PDF File)
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, 2003
Moving beyond punishment to promote effective interventions for children with mental or emotional disorders

Seven Successful Strategies for Preventing Challenging Behaviors in Young Children (PDF File)
Carta, 2004
From OSEP, Ideas That Work

Interventions for Chronic Behavior Problems (PDF File)
NICHCY Research Brief, 1999
Approaches to dealing with behavior problems in school

School Behavior and Disciplinary Experiences of Youth With Disabilities (PDF File)
Facts From NLTS2, 2006
U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences

Reducing Behavior Problems in the Elementary School Classroom (PDF File)
Epstein, M., Atkins, M., Cullinan, D., Kutash, K., and Weaver, R., 2008
U.S. Department of Education, NCEE 2008-012

Teaching Decision Making to Students With Learning Disabilities by Promoting Self-Determination (or PDF File)
Alan Hoffman, 2003
From ERIC Digest

Applying Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques to Social Skills Instruction (or PDF File)
Stephen Smith, 2002
From ERIC Digest

The Effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions on Dropout Rate for Youth with Disabilities (PDF File)
Brian Cobb, Pat Sample, Morgen Alwell, Nikole Johns, 2005
National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities

Taking Stock of Risk Factors for Child/Youth Externalizing Behavior Problems (PDF File)
Della Hann, Ph.D. (Editor), NIMH, 2001
This book, available as a free e-book, provides a summary of expert consensus on factors and processes that contribute to youth conduct problems

Self-Regulation through Goal Setting (or PDF File)
Dale H. Schunk, 2001
ERIC/CASS Digest ED462671

Self-Harm:

Self-Mutilation (PDF File)
Chris Simpson, 2001
Self-injurious behavior may be associated with some of the conditions discussed on this web site, such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder.

Deliberate Self-Harm in Young People (PDF File)
Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2004
This fact sheet talks about the reasons and risk factors for youth self-harm.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Other sections of this site also contain information on specific behaviors, such as the "rage attacks" section in the Conditions section, and some of the behaviors discussed in the education tips files.

Tourette Syndrome "Plus" © Copyright 1998 - 2009 Leslie E. Packer, PhD. except as noted.
All rights reserved 
This page last updated February 17, 2009.
Reprint Policy. Privacy Policy. Contact.