Welcome back to our blog series about the four 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, but they generally fall into four categories:
- To Escape or avoid something (See Part 1)
- To get Attention from someone
- To gain Access to something
- To meet a child’s Sensory needs
One goal of ABA therapy is to help kiddos with autism and other developmental concerns replace unwanted behaviors with alternative behaviors that ensure their needs are being met and support their well-being. The first step in reaching our goal is to identify the function of an unwanted behavior. Then, we can start work on helping a child learn a new one.
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More to Explore >> Learn why ABA therapy is the gold standard early intervention for toddlers with autism as young as two.
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Let’s look at the Attention function of behavior
For this installment of our series, we’re putting the Attention function in the spotlight. This is when a child acts out or behaves in ways to seek attention or regain someone’s attention after losing it. You’ll learn what the Attention function can look like, how you can accurately identify it, and the best ways to respond and help your child learn more constructive ways to express their needs.
- What the Attention function looks like: There are many ways a child can behave to seek attention. Some are more subtle than others to the untrained eye, like mouthing items as they pay attention to you. More obvious behaviors include walking away while looking back towards others, yelling, or having a tantrum.
- How we know it’s the Attention 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 Attention function:
The Antecedent could be a child playing with another person that gets called away.
The Behavior is the child throwing a toy at the wall and yelling, “Nooooo!”
The Consequence is the person coming back and continuing to play with the child.
If the child’s unwanted behaviors stop, then we’ve confirmed the function or the reason for the child’s behavior is to get Attention.
- How ABA therapy can help:
Using the Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence example above, an ABA therapist can change the consequence of a behavior to use it as a learning moment for the child. Instead of coming back and continuing to play with the child, the therapist will divert eye contact with the child as they approach, and say, “Hey, I want to keep playing.”
This is what’s known in ABA therapy as modeling a behavior for a child. Parents can try this technique. Model the appropriate behavior you want your child to learn and use for expressing their needs.
It’s important to note that it’s unreasonable to ask a child to tap you on the shoulder or arm and say “Excuse me” every single time they want attention. You can teach a child that behavior, but it shouldn’t be expected in every situation.
Also, just as important, ignoring children who are having an emotional response to a situation is not helping them learn behaviors that get their needs met in the future. It’s only creating an environment where they feel alone. Instead, keep modeling the behaviors you want them to learn, while limiting eye contact and maintaining a neutral tone.
The goal is to help them meet their needs in the moment without giving them additional attention on the unwanted behavior. It takes practice, for sure! Don’t be afraid to talk with your child’s BCBA and therapists for advice. A sign that you have a quality ABA therapy provider is their focus on a holistic approach that supports the needs of children as well as their families.
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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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Aren’t enrolled in an ABA therapy program?
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.
We hope to see you back here next Wednesday for Part 3 of our series on the functions of behavior. If you have any questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to our autism and ABA therapy experts. Just email [email protected]!
