Behavior can be a mystery. It’s not always obvious why we humans do what we do. We might even be blind to the reasons behind our own behavior at times.
If you have a child with autism, their unique way of interacting with the world around them can make their behavior even more difficult to understand, especially if they aren’t able to tell you what’s going on because they have limited or no communications skills.
Thankfully, ABA therapy can help us uncover the reason behind a child’s behavior. Just as important, it can help us find the most effective ways of positively responding to their behavior that supports their needs and well-being.
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More to Explore >> Get a quick look at why ABA therapy is the gold standard early intervention for toddlers with autism as young as two.
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Functions of Behavior
In ABA therapy, we refer to the meaning behind a child’s behavior as a function. The functions or reasons behind behaviors can differ, of course, but they generally fall into four categories:
- To Escape or avoid something
- To get Attention from someone
- To gain Access to something
- To meet Sensory needs
Over the next few weeks here on our blog, we’re going to explore each of these four functions of behavior. You’ll learn what each function looks like, how ABA therapy can be used to identify and/or confirm the reason for a child’s behavior, and the best ways to respond for a better outcome.
Let’s start with the function of behavior known as Escape.
What the Escape function of behavior looks like
If a child runs away, avoids eye contact, or says “No!”, these are behaviors are often associated with a child wanting to Escape from a task or situation they’re trying to avoid. It could be they’re experiencing fear or anxiety. It also could be they’re overwhelmed or just not interested.
How we know it’s the Escape function
ABA therapists use the observational tool known as ABC to collect and analyze what’s going on with a child’s behavior. ABC is an acronym for:
Antecedent – What happens right before a behavior
Behavior – How a child reacts to the antecedent
Consequence – What happens right after the behavior
So, in the case of the Escape function:
The Antecedent could be a child being asked to pick up their toy.
The Behavior could be the child saying, “No.”
The Consequence could be a parent picking up the toy.
If the behavior of saying “No” stops, then we’ve confirmed the function or the reason for the child’s behavior is to Escape the task of picking up their toy.
Replacing unwanted behaviors using ABA therapy
It’s safe to say most people regardless of age can relate to wanting to avoid certain situations. We all want a chance to escape, and as an autonomous adult, we can communicate how we’re feeling by saying, “I need a break,” or “Give me a second,” or even walking away from a conversation. We honor the need of adults to take a minute. We should honor that need when it comes from kiddos, too.
Children with autism often need extra time and attention developing communication skills, and that’s where ABA therapy can help them find the words to adjust, prepare, and convey their need to postpone.
The goal is to replace unwanted behaviors of running away and avoidance with a positive behavior that ensures a child’s need are being met. We do that by providing them with the appropriate words to convey their needs, then honoring those needs. This teaches children there is a better way to express their needs than through escapism and avoidance.
A sign that you have a quality ABA therapy provider is their ability to provide a supportive environment where your child is being heard, their needs are being met, and they’re learning how to express themselves through communication, whether verbal or assisted.
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More to Explore >> Find the best ABA therapy providers in your area who have earned accreditation as a Behavioral Health Center of Excellence®.
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Take the Next Step
ABA therapy should be started during a child’s most formative years, between birth and 5 years of age. This period is when a child’s brain is making critical and foundational connections with everything in their environment – in other words, shaping their behavior.
Children with autism need extra help making those connections so they can learn and develop in ways that enable them to achieve their full potential in life.
We can help you identify, understand, and help shape your child’s behavior through expert and caring ABA therapy, including our fun, early start B.E.E.S. program and Parent Training.
You can’t escape a diagnosis of autism for your child. You can, however, give them the skills they need for a brighter future by choosing ABA therapy at The Behavior Exchange. We are proud to be the FIRST provider in North Texas and one of only a handful in all of Colorado to achieve the highest accreditation possible.
Your toddler deserves the best care. Get them started by completing our contact form or calling 972.312.8733. We serve awesome families from four locations in North Texas and the greater Boulder, Colorado, area.
Be sure to come back next week for Part 2 of our series on the functions of behavior, where attention-seeking behaviors will be in the spotlight. See you then if we don’t talk to you sooner!
