Behavior has a function?
As we mentioned earlier, understanding the ABC’s of behavior is a great start to understanding and changing your child’s behavior. You are able to figure out what causes or what reinforces that undesired behavior. You are able to narrow down when and where it occurs. However, we also need to understand the function of the behavior so that when we teach alternative ones, where they can still get the same reinforcing quality.
For example: If the function of your child’s behavior is attention but they are trying to get it in an undesired way (shoving a toy in your face) then you want to teach them a way that they can do that and still get your attention (saying, “Look at my airplane mommy”). The function is still attention, they are still getting it, but in an appropriate way.
Below we will talk about the different functions and then later discuss strategies for these functions. There are four functions of behavior: sensory, attention, tangible, escape/avoid.
Sensory- This is a person's own movements/actions that feel good to that individual. For example, a child twirls his or her hair as they sit for an extended amount of time. If twirling hair gives that individual the sensory input they are seeking, then hair twirling will continue. Other examples include, but are not limited to, rocking, clapping, jumping, swinging, humming, screaming, banging their head, etc.
Attention-This is behavior intended to get the attention of someone. This behavior can be seen in a number of inappropriate ways such as aggression, screaming, making messes, disobeying, etc.
Tangible-People engage in a behavior to get items/activities that they want. This function can be seen in a number of inappropriate ways such as tantruming, aggression, stealing, sneaking, etc.
Escape/Avoid-people engage in a behavior in order to escape/avoid something they do not want to do. Examples include: arguing, leaving your seat, ignoring you, tantruming, etc.
Being able to know and understand the function can help you teach what alternative behaviors to teach. If you are teaching a new behavior that doesn’t align with the function, the undesired behavior will not decrease. On our next blog, we discuss some solutions that can go with each of these functions.
