Interventions for Child or Adult Behavior Problems

Behavior problems stem from various causes. Whether there are external factors, such as on-going stress at home or work, or drastic changes in social status, behavior problems can arise and create volatile situations. Adults and children behave in different ways due to their maturity level and ability to cope. However, there are many common interventions that can help alleviate behavioral problems in all age groups and in various settings.

Understanding Consequences for Actions

• Children and adults need to understand the consequences for their behaviors. Whether they are 10 years old in a fourth grade classroom or 40 years old in a business office, individuals are aware that there are common rules that they must abide by. Maintaining consistent reminders of appropriate behavior in the work or school environment can be done by posting flyers or posters of these expectations. The rules should be clearly defined so that the consequences are understood as well.

Over-correction

• Sometimes a person will engage in inappropriate behaviors, such as defying, arguing with or yelling at an authority figure, or engaging in a physical confrontation with a peer. An adult may learn from his mistake the first time he is written up by his supervisor. However, others will continue their inappropriate behaviors and receive consequences several times before they fully understand that these actions will not be tolerated. In these instances, over-correction may be necessary to help them learn appropriate behaviors. Over-correction is a process whereby the individuals are frequently and consistently reminded of the rules and expected to follow them exactly as stated. There is no wiggle room if the rules are broken; and when this happens, the individual must start all over again. For example, if a child cannot stay in a straight line behind his peers to go to the lunchroom, the teacher could over-correct him by making him start again at the classroom door and walk a straight line to the cafeteria. If he continues to veer from the line, the teacher would redirect him again to start all over. This technique sounds drastic, but it should work within the first or second try.

Time-Off/Break

• Adults, as well as children, require some time to remove themselves from stressful situations. Although many can function well with just a lunch break and perhaps a mid-afternoon break, others may require extra time to recoup their thoughts. An employer can provide a small area in the office environment for employees to remove themselves from the everyday stressors of their job. The area should be made available to all employees and be separate from the common work area and bathrooms.

Clear Choices

• Authority figures must ensure that clear choices are provided to the adults and children who absolutely refuse to follow the rules. Providing them with two clear choices with clear consequences allows them to feel some sense of ownership and power. However, at the same time, the order of the choices must be given in a manner such that the negative consequence is the first choice and the authoritative request is the second, for example, "Do you want a referral to the office or do you want to sit quietly at your desk?" The choices should be fair and consistent, and the person in charge should avoid providing the choices in a threatening manner.