I read an article years ago by a psychologist advising parents on calming a child. It stated: the parent should state: "I can see you're upset, I'm here for you."
Here is how training in Behavior Analysis provides a different and complimentary path:
The potential for a child to continue the problematic escalations exist because a child (or teen) may be reinforced unknowingly by the parent- by the soothing words acknowledging the expressed emotion. BAs are trained to analyze the 'before, during, after' an escalation and mitigate potential triggers. This may seem fairly simple but beyond that and just as important: is providing the parent with an understanding of actions, words, and reactions in the moment which will prevent future escalations.
I will just state, though it is a quick bandaid. In the article, one of the examples provided was a child struggling academically. With a child I transformed from screaming at the idea of doing Math to loving it : in all likelihood: his teacher and Counselor at school probably attempted to defuse him in the same way but it's also true in many situations, you cannot always "talk" the child out of a problem nor use logic and reasoning as you can with an adult. I, ofcourse, initially attempted to de-escalate him by letting him know I acknowledged his emotions and stated: "I'm here for you." It is a noble and excellent starting point but here's why talking thru concerns is sometimes helpful and sometimes not: 1. The child and even teen isn't self aware enough. I, myself, wasn't aware of "self awareness" until well past my 20s. 2. Logic and reasoning are understood more cognitively by adults. . The pre frontal cortex, as you're probably aware governs judgment and reasoning - it isn't fully developed until 25. Attempts to "talk it thru" may be helpful and productive but there are also countless situations I know of, where this strategy didn't work to change behaviors. Nonetheless, attempting to calm a child in the moment vs changing behavior are 2 different goals.
With regard to how Behavior Analysis/Management plays a role: the child I transformed to "pleading to do Math with me" suffered for 2 years prior, even with an IEP. A phrase conveying empathy in the moment was probably attempted atleast once by one of the adults (including the school Counselor) in his life prior to my intervention but the problem perpetuated still for 2 years. Here's another great example of how "empathy and attempting to talk thru" the problem didn't work - though it helps to build a bridge in the moment: neither parents, teacher, nor school Counselor were able to motivate an 8 year old to write (when asked) over the last year. I accomplished this within a few hours and the strategies I offered still work. This parent will speak to you to confirm this fact as will the others.
Yes, calming phrases will help to defuse an escalation - but this is also where the fascinating science of Behavior Analysis comes into play: parents or teachers may unknowingly reinforce those escalations depending on their non verbal and verbal responses: words, actions before, during and after an event. Coddling a negative emotion may end up having the opposite effect because the child/adolescent has now been reinforced. I have witnessed on countless occasions: tantrums, escalations, and bad behaviors continue because of this phenomenon. The science of Behavior Analysis allows a therapist to analyze what exactly is motivating the child to escalate - sometimes it is escape from a task, attention from the parent, access to tangible, or sensory stimulation (4 Functions of Behavior). Beyond this, the potential exists that the child may be reinforced in future situations to escalate or in other situations by any number of factors. This isn't to state children or adolescents should not express negative emotions but the propensity toward certain reactions may increase or decrease - as well as the degree the emotion is expressed -and for inappropriate situations- by factors in the environment and responses by the adult(s). It is also imperative and helpful: that correct responses are consistent by all adults.
Behavior Analysts are also trained to analyze all possible triggers by the caregiver and environment - and modify as needed. This may sound fairly simple as well but the magic of ABA is knowing which factors play a role, to what degree and again, how every interaction in a given escalation (before, during, and after... and even hours or days before and after) from the parent or teacher will prevent or promote a future event.
As known, teachers and parents consistently "respond" to escalations and negative behaviors but what's not known is how important those responses are as they pertain to future instances. Not long ago, in a high school class - there was a teacher who was intermittent with the consequences toward a disruptive and disrespectful student. Sometimes, the teacher asked him to stand outside for 5 minutes (she didn't realize he enjoyed this consequence - escape from being in the room and attention from her and the other students). Other times, he was asked to head to the Dean's office and talk to him/her (he enjoyed this as well- time away from class) and other times: his outbursts were ignored. There unfortunately, would be many kids scribbling or attempting to sleep during her class day after day due to a lack of positive interaction and engagement with them. She was a very dedicated and excellent teacher otherwise. Due to my input and coaching: the parent and teacher collaborated utilizing my coaching- and guess what? He no longer needed to report to the Dean or stand outside.
The disruptive behavior stopped. I also advised her on what to say and how to say it when a "Behavior arose" if it did again. My input worked. Did I handle the other "Dean's office" 8th graders (that I mentioned in the About Us page) in the same way? No. My strategy with them worked as well.
Keep in mind, school Counselors are very busy and unfortunately: this problem of the disruptive kiddo wasn't resolved with the Counselor either (as the others weren't that I transformed). I have a deep admiration for Counselors and Psychologists but I've learned that many are trained in helping individuals transform from within and this is very much needed. They will also ofcourse, provide input on mitigating behaviors and are typically successful. However, many Counselors do not have the time in a given school day to dedicate hours upon hours to "talk it thru" with a "disrespectful" student - and unfortunately, there are students who do not respond to "hours of talking thru" behaviors. Case in point, just the few I've mentioned and there are countless others. Counselors' caseloads are also endless at times depending on the size of the school. Still, the science of Behavior Analysis and it is a separate science: analyzes all factors (internal and external) which promote, continue, or diminish certain behaviors. It is the case that Counselors are admirable experts in a branch of psychology while BAs are also admirable experts in another. Both meet at certain points, though they vary greatly in the approach, and both are highly effective and can produce life changing results.
Regarding the three "Dean's office" kiddos (in one class) who prior to my being in the room teaching: were consistently being sent and yes, they showed the same behaviors with me initially: I didn't need to send them once over the next few months I was with them. These same kids just like the rest, also spent many hours in their respective Counselor's offices. There were a few other kids in that same class who were influenced (by the 3 angels mentioned) in the past to be disruptive. They were also angels with me and none needed to visit the Dean or Counselor's office again. Yes, that sounds shocking but it's the magic of this science and it's why it's my goal to provide my help to as many families and individuals as I can. I have transformed so many lives since 2018 and it is not widely known that knowledge and training in Behavior Analysis can apply beautifully to all settings (vs only or primarily those children and adolescents with delays and disabilities). Note: there is a severe shortage of BCBAs in a majority of states and their caseloads are usually full helping children with more severe needs.
From: https://www.reddit.com/r/schoolpsychology/comments/mvzjqm/aba_and_school_psychology/
"In my current role as a school psychologist, I lean on my two very friendly and knowledgeable BCBA's for collaboration and problem solving, and I use the principles of ABA in my work every day when deescalating students, creating positive behavior support interventions/plans, and trying to identify patterns/antecedents for challenging behavior."
And the "help/strategies received by the BCBA via the guiding principles of ABA" "by this psychologist is the training I have utilized to fix countless behaviors and classrooms- since 2018 - for general education classroom kids and non general education classroom kids over the years and prevent escalations/trips to the Dean/Detention/Suspensions. I've also transformed countless negative behaviors which were Life changing for the child/adolescent, teacher and parent.
Here is some evidence that a Master's in Psychology does not "teach Behavior Analysis" in detail or at all. Some schools may require a class or two in ABA (for Psychology degrees) but I haven't found them.
https://catalog.purdueglobal.edu/graduate/social-behavioral-sciences/psychology-ms/
Comparing ABA to Psychology:
Please read again: in my About Us: how I have been able to apply my training and work in every setting (classroom and individual) to bring about a positive change and transformation and I've accomplished this numerous times in situations where the transformations didn't occur within the system. It is also true that Behavior Analysts who work with a given school are overwhelmed with caseloads as are school Counselors.
It is in this gap: I can and will give my best to help you as a Behavior Coach. Please note: it is also sometimes difficult to obtain the help of a BCBA - many work strictly with insurance/Medicaid only and with a Psychologist, you may need a number of sessions before results will be possible. I vary from both in that I will do my best to provide you with results and solutions the same day of our session. In order to hire a Behavior Analyst or BCBA: you will more than likely also need to submit a great deal of paperwork and most are not in private practice. I encourage you to seek one out if there are BCBAs working in private practice in your respective area.
Whichever path you decide, again, do see my "Satisfaction Guaranteed" policy: there isn't a child, teen, or adult I haven't been able to transform for the better and every transformation has been long lasting because the parents and teachers have new and highly effective tools available to them - and which are appropriate and tailored for the specific needs they're facing.
Thank you for reading and learning more about this topic🌻. I look forward to helping you and giving you the tools to change your life and for those you love and care for 🌻.
Here's a good article that complements work in Behavior Analysis:
