Everyday Teaching Autism Resources

This is a shift of mindset and the way the child with behavior challenges should be seen.

After years of educational and behavioral training, I still encounter struggles on a daily basis. The formula for understanding each behavior episode accurately would not exist, and yet students deserve adequate support.

A child’s behavior may look similar (same topography), but each case may require a different intervention based on its function. It’s called a function-based intervention.

Take Charles for an example. He often pinches others and aggressively latches on. Sometimes he would engage in uncontrollable crying for several minutes. Then, he would say, “I want a hug (what he meant is being squeezed)” or “I feel itchy on my back. Can you scratch it?”

Why does he engage in this behavior? What should we do to meet his needs now?