Behavior Strategies For IEP- Suggestions?

Question

IEP meeting in the morning...my nephew lives w/ me.. he has PTSD, ADD, ODD/ schitzo effective disorder. Most of his problems @ school (6th-middle school) are due to major lack of social skills. He does have an authority problem, can't stand to be touched, has stalking tendencies towards girls...his mom severely abused him . He is under a doctors care.
any suggestions about behavior strategies that are effective?

meds, therapy, the whole 9 yards..the transition between elementary to middle has
been difficult . this is his 2nd year in 6th grade. most teachers don't know how to deal with his behavior/probs,yet the school discourages him being in self contained special ed(where I think he needs to be)because academically, he is more capable than most kids in self contained class

Answer 1

I am assuming that you are your nephew's legal guardian. If so, you do have the right to ask what other options for placement are available. Since he has an IEP, and he is entitled to a Free APPROPRIATE Public Education, the district of residence has the responsibility to see that your nephew is being provided with reasonable accomodations. As a special education teacher, I know that districts tend to feel that highter-functioning students don't belong in a self-contained special day class. What they often fail to take into account, however, is that kids with significant behavioral needs often need the tighter, more predictable structure that a special day class can provide. It's also true that most experienced special ed teachers are far more attuned to working with kids with challenging behaviors. And also, with No Child Left Behind, many (most?) general ed teachers are very focused on covering the material that will be assessed, and they have very little time for "extraneous" activities such as a closely monitored behavior plan. It would be practically impossible for a general ed teacher to provide the type of structured program that your nephew is likely to need. And if they offer to provide a one-to-one behavior assistant, ask questions about the assistant's experience and training, what support will be provided to the one-to-one and classroom teacher - and how frequently, what type of behavior support program will be in place, who will monitor it, and how will your nephew's progress be assessed.
In theory, I support the full-inclusion model of providing education to kids with special needs. In actual practice, I see a sad number of cases in which the child with special needs is being tolerated at best and is reaching a crisis at worst. I have had quite a few students placed in my class after a disastrous experience in general ed classes. Yes, in general ed the student had a one-to-one, but most of the one-to-one assistants didn't have a college education, much less the specialized training and experience of a special ed teacher. They were usually kind people who wanted to help children, but they didn't have the skills, and the classroom was set up to educate the majority of students, not the kids with special needs.
So as far as behavior strategies, ask the district administrators what their intent is. A good behavior plan needs to be specific to the individual, specific criteria for success needs to be defined, and data needs to be collected and evaluated on a regular basis. Generally speaking, I think that kids need to learn that behavior is essentially a choice, and that appropriate choices result in rewards, while inappropriate choices do not. But how you go about teaching this is the question.
Good luck to you in the IEP meeting. For the sake of your nephew and yourself, please feel free to take time to consider your options. If you aren't sure about what they are offering for him, don't sign the IEP until you have had an opportunity to explore what else is available.

Answer 2

I would get a behavior plan written ASAP! The psychologist or a behavior specialist should help write this plan. It is not your responsibility to write it, its the schools. At the IEP meeting discuss your concerns and suggest a behavior plan. Make sure that on his IEP they have an area focusing on his behavior and how they as a team are working on it. Also on socialization. Ask if he can get into a social skills group with some peers. Suggest a teachers assistant but chances are they wont get him on because he functions at a higher level than most special ed kids it seems. Try using a point system with him. If he earns say 10 points for the day he gets to get a reward...if he gets 40-50 points by Friday he gets a special reward! Kids work really well with this point system. Good luck and dont give up!

Answer 3

Well for each one of those issues you identified, you are going to want a behavioral modification plan. You will want to start off with the medication. Make sure that he's taking it at the prescribed time. If its prescribed during the school day, then the school nurse should able to administer and give some measurable times to it. for example...2 times a day for 5 days for 3 months.

Next focus on the authority problem. I'm assuming the authority problem will be addressing the teachers. If they don't have a TA (teacher's assistant) in the class, they need to get one with him. He may need one on one structure. But just like the medication example went, find out what behaviors addressing authority that needs to be broken down and make sure it can be measurable. Let the school know if rewards help your nephew and maybe you can provide the rewards that will be administered to him when he has accomplished his tasks.

The key is to start off with small lengths of time toward completing the goals and then increase the time so that the behaviors will be learned more effectively.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I can sympathize, I have a seven year old with a list of diagnosis', my son has ADHD, ODD, OCD, Tourette syndrome, and extreme anxiety disorder.

Last year in first grade my son was suspended four times, and kicked off the bus three times. His pediatrian recommended a specialist to see him. After seeing the Neuro-psychologist, the above diagnosis were confirmed.

After discussing an IEP, I was told my son may have to be transferred to another school is it was found the current school did not offer the support he may need. I feared this would make his anxiety worse, so I scheduled a meeting with the school.

The school had all their "big wigs" there and told me to come alone and we'd get things worked out. First off, The school wants to do what is easiest for them, not for what is best for the child in question. I didn't come alone I brought two of the best advocates working with my son, his peditrian of 4 years and his neuro- psychologist.

Most of my sons problems are behavior related so we set up a reward plan, my son takes a booklet to each teacher he sees throughout the day, when my son gets 10 smiley faces he gets to pick a special award, whether it is a new pencil topper or a special indoor recess with 2 friends of choice.

My son is also choosen for any "runs" the teacher may need done, getting milk, taking a note to the office, etc.. this is a good way for him to be able to work off some of his extra energy.
He is allowed 10 minutes after recesses and gym to regroup before being asked to sit still and learn.
My son is also allowed 3 different spots to sit in the classroom so he doesn't feel "restricted" to one desk. This helps with his anxiety.
My son also has the ability to leave the classroom to walk down to the counselor's office to vent if he feels he's going to have a "storm" (a storm is pretty much a fit but can be violent).

The school has been great working with my son. Get an advocate to work with you to help your nephew.

He is very lucky to have you in his luck. God Bless and best of luck!

Answer 5

Has the school personel conducted a Functional Behavior Assessment? If not, ask them to and also ask them to also write a Behavior plan.

Answer 6

I would think that these strategies should be developed by or in conjunction with his doctor(s). He has quite a list of problems, more so then then average special ed kid.

Best of Luck with him!

Answer 7

with all the problems I hope he is on meds, then there is Behavior Modification,( What does he really like) use it as his reward!!!
let's say he loves the computer, Joe if you remain in your seat, you can go on the computer for 15 Min.make computer gift tickets just for him, he gets rewarded for complying.