Behavior

This week, the chapter focused on helping students to prevent behaviors, and how to respond to teach level of behavior. I enjoyed the class discussion this week because we were able to see how this can work in a special needs classroom.

I have been under the impression that without a reinforcer, I can't work with students that have a federally defined disability. This include: Learning disability, Cognitive impairment, Autism spectrum disorder, Hearing impairment, Vision impairment, Hearing and vision impairment, Other (such as ADHD), Orthopedic, Traumatic brain injury, Emotional Disturbance, Speech and language, and Multiple disabilities.

After having this discussion in class, I realized that the reason the reinforcer is needed is because after the extrinsic motivation is gone, the student stops doing the desired behavior. If I couple the extrinsic motivation with an intrinsic motivation, the desired behavior will continue as I slowly take away the "candy" or other extrinsic motivation.

We also focused on BIP and I was encouraged by Brother Cloward to learn more about this because of my study being in ECSE. A Behavior Intervention Plan is included as a part of the IEP plan and lays out what steps are to be taken when a behavior occurs and should be included if the behavior is negatively affecting the students academic success. It is also required when the behavior negatively affects the learning of other students who will be associating with this student.

When I worked at American Fork High School, the life skills students all have varying behavior plans. Some of the behaviors were severe enough that a behavioral contract was signed by the student and the teacher, stating the consequences or rewards associated with the behavior or the lack of it. I think if my teachers would have tried to create better intrinsic reinforcers, the behaviors could have been present less often than they were.

Wrapping up this semester, I feel like my philosophy of education has changed. Because I have seen poor examples of helping these students reach their IEP and BIP goals, I didn't think it was realistic or even necessary. But these goals are hear to help the student to succeed and to offer them as much academic opportunity as everyone else.