Behavior, Communication and Discipline

Children with Special Needs
Finding the right balance between accepting communication in all its forms and maintaining discipline in the household takes many strategies and a healthy sense of humor

Problem Behavior star
When a child with special needs has behavior problems, parents can feel overwhelmed, but resources are available

Age Appropriate Misbehavior - Toddlers Throw star
Babies and toddlers with Down syndrome often engage in age-appropriate misbehavior as they pass through developmental milestones as early as their mainstream peers. Throwing food, plates and cups at meal time during the 'hold and release, cause and effect' stage can be delightful for the child.

Changing Negative Behavior Habits star
When a child with special needs develops negative behavior habits, parents often look for firm but loving discipline strategies to reduce and eliminate them, and find those that help us teach them more positive substitute behaviors.

Medication for Behavioral Issues - Down Syndrome star
Parents have learned to be very cautious in considering medication to avoid medication for compliance, even when a child or teen with Down syndrome has escalating behavioral challenges, because there is a greater likelihood that changes in behavior are due to medical reasons, abuse or neglect.

Moms Under Stress Problem Behavior star
Mothers who endure long-lasting stressful situations deserve support, respite care and understanding. Sometimes crisis intervention and long term help is needed.

Parent Child Interaction Therapy star
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy teaches useful strategies and effective skills to parents whose children have aggressive, rebellious or otherwise challenging behaviors, to help children in difficult situations establish or rebuild relationships, and to bring some peace and comfort to the family.

Positive Behavior Support in the Classroom star
Challenging behavior was cited as a primary reason that students with IEPs had been blocked from inclusive classrooms in their neighborhood schools until 1997 amendments to IDEA established PBIS as the recommended form of behavioral intervention. PBIS is now embraced as a strategy for all students.

Power Struggles and Self-Care Skills star
Children with disabilities should have ample opportunities to engage in decision-making, developing preferences, and engaging in power struggles with parents, just like their mainstream peers. They need options, extra time to practice, and a safe and forgiving relationship to express defiance.

Problem Behavior and Family Stress star
Misbehavior by a child with special needs can be caused by the extra challenges added by a health problem or developmental delay. What does that mean for mom?

Selective Mutism and Shyness star
Children who speak at home but donĀ“t feel comfortable talking at school or in other social situations may have a condition known as selective mutism. Researchers have found that children who experience selective mutism have an anxiety disorder that prevents them from speaking in certain situations.

Using Behavior as Communication star
Behavior is a form of communication for children with certain physical conditions or developmental disabilities who may be using behavior as their only way to communicate what they are not able to explain

Voice4u iPod Touch iPhone Communication App star
The Voice4u iPod Touch / iPhone App is a low priced software application providing graphics, speech support and alternative communication for children and teens whose speech or behavior may be difficult to understand. You may add icons, pictures and sounds and it is available in Japanese, too.

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