Kathy Morris – Oppositional, Explosive and Disruptive Behaviors in the Classroom: Effective Strategies for Intervening Before, During and After a Meltdown

Outline

Functions of a Meltdown Functions of a Meltdown

• Tantrum vs. meltdownTantrum vs. meltdown
• Stages of a meltdownStages of a meltdown
• Sensory issues vs. behavior issuesSensory issues vs. behavior issues
• Meltdown intervention videoMeltdown intervention video

Identify Triggers that Drive Challenging Behaviors Related to: Identify Triggers that Drive Challenging Behaviors Related to:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Learning disabilitiesLearning disabilities
• Executive functioning deficitsExecutive functioning deficits
• Anxiety disorderAnxiety disorder
• DepressionDepression

Sensory StrategiesSensory Strategies

• Easy-to-use sensory tools and apps to calmEasy-to-use sensory tools and apps to calm
• Overstimulation and sensory breakdownsOverstimulation and sensory breakdowns
• Classroom structure for optimal learningClassroom structure for optimal learning

Executive Functioning Strategies Executive Functioning Strategies

• Visual cues, music, and software designed to increase attention and focusVisual cues, music, and software designed to increase attention and focus
• High interest areas to strengthen motivation and engagementHigh interest areas to strengthen motivation and engagement
• Visual reminders for routines and predictabilityVisual reminders for routines and predictability
• Visual structures to promote organizationVisual structures to promote organization

Self-Regulation StrategiesSelf-Regulation Strategies

• Video modeling, t-charts, social stories, social scripts, emotions charts to develop self-controlVideo modeling, t-charts, social stories, social scripts, emotions charts to develop self-control
• Tools that promote self-monitoring of behaviorTools that promote self-monitoring of behavior
• Power cards and visual checklists as powerful incentives to change behaviorPower cards and visual checklists as powerful incentives to change behavior

Social/Emotional Communication Strategies Social/Emotional Communication Strategies

• Social scripts and social stories to develop social interactionSocial scripts and social stories to develop social interaction
• Video modeling and role playing to demonstrate appropriate interactionsVideo modeling and role playing to demonstrate appropriate interactions
• First person stories for positive behavior changes and affirmationsFirst person stories for positive behavior changes and affirmations

Explosive Behavior Strategies Explosive Behavior Strategies

• Recognize the warning signs of a meltdown to prevent itRecognize the warning signs of a meltdown to prevent it
• Surprise cards, change of schedule cues, and transition markers to alleviate anxietySurprise cards, change of schedule cues, and transition markers to alleviate anxiety
• Visual cues to depict expected behaviorVisual cues to depict expected behavior
• Converting the verbal to a visualConverting the verbal to a visual

Techniques for After the Meltdown Techniques for After the Meltdown

• Strategies for instructional consequencesStrategies for instructional consequences
• Chart appropriate/inappropriate behaviorsChart appropriate/inappropriate behaviors
• Activities for reviewing behaviors when calmActivities for reviewing behaviors when calm
• Cartooning to facilitate feedbackCartooning to facilitate feedback
• Strategies for providing systematic feedbackStrategies for providing systematic feedback
• Reinforcement for communication strategiesReinforcement for communication strategies
• Identify feelings and review behaviorIdentify feelings and review behavior

Hands-on Activities Hands-on Activities

• Demonstration video of child having a meltdownDemonstration video of child having a meltdown
• Appropriate and meaningful replacement behaviors for physical aggressionAppropriate and meaningful replacement behaviors for physical aggression
• Instructional consequences for a meltdownInstructional consequences for a meltdown