2 Simple Ways to Stop Problem Behaviors in Children

Dealing with problem behaviors in children can be, well…challenging! Especially as they get older and stronger, those behaviors can feel flat-out scary.

You’re not alone if you’ve felt frustrated or even helpless. What can you do?

There are strategies that can really help. Today, we’ll explore two Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques:

Response blocking
Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA).

These tools can help you understand and stop problem behaviors in children, leading to a more peaceful home life.

Understanding the Function of Behavior

Have you ever wondered why your child does what they do? Here’s a secret: all behavior serves a purpose.

Often, it’s to get attention or access to something they want. To understand this better, let’s think about the ABCs of behavior:

Antecedent: What happens before the behavior?
Behavior: What does the child do?
Consequence: What happens after the behavior?

Remember the “Little Johnny” scenario from before?

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He wanted a cookie. First, he asked nicely (antecedent), but Mom said no. Then he demanded (more antecedent!), but Mom still said no.

Finally, he threw a temper tantrum (behavior), and Mom gave him the cookie (consequence). In this case, the consequence (getting the cookie) reinforced the tantrum.

It’s important to identify the consequence that is reinforcing the unwanted behavior. Unintentionally rewarding negative behavior can make it continue, even if it drives you crazy!

Why Giving In Makes Things Worse

It’s so tempting to give in when your child is having a meltdown. You just want the noise to stop! But here’s the thing: giving in teaches your child that negative behavior is an effective way to meet their needs.

Even though it might bring short-term relief, it makes the behavior harder to change in the long run. You’re essentially reinforcing the tantrum, and guess what? You can expect more tantrums in the future.

What is Response Blocking?

Okay, so what can you do? Let’s start with response blocking. In simple terms, response blocking physically prevents your child from performing the unwanted behavior. It’s most effective for behaviors that are physically harmful or disruptive.

Here are some clear examples:

Preventing biting by gently blocking their mouth.
Stopping scratching by gently holding their hands.
Blocking your child’s exit when he is trying to run away.

Remember, it’s important to do this calmly and without anger. Response blocking should be paired with other strategies to teach alternative behaviors. And very importantly, this technique doesn’t apply to every situation, and caution should be used.

Response Blocking: Important Considerations and Safety Tips

Before you jump in, there are a few key things to keep in mind:

Safety First: Always prioritize the safety of both you and your child. Avoid using excessive force.
Appropriate Use: Response blocking isn’t right for all behaviors or all children. Think about your child’s age, size, and the severity of the behavior.
Professional Guidance: It’s always a good idea to consult with a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) or other qualified professional before using response blocking, especially if the behavior is severe or complex.
Document Everything: Keep a record of when and how response blocking is used and how your child responds.
Consent: If applicable, get permission from the child’s other parent or guardian before using response blocking.

What is Differential Reinforcement for Alternative Behavior (DRA)?

Let’s move on to differential reinforcement for alternative behavior or DRA. DRA is rewarding a desired behavior while ignoring the unwanted behavior. It focuses on teaching your child a more appropriate way to meet their needs.

Let’s return to Little Johnny and the cookie to show how to use DRA in this situation.

Johnny yells for a cookie (unwanted behavior). Mom ignores him.
Johnny asks politely for a cookie (desired behavior). Mom gives him the cookie (reinforcement).

See how that works? You’re not just stopping the bad behavior. You’re actively rewarding the good behavior. It’s also super important to reinforce the desired behavior consistently every time it occurs, especially in the beginning. As the saying goes, “Consistency is key!”

Practical Steps for Implementing DRA

So, how do you put DRA into practice? Here are some practical steps:

Identify the Target Behavior: What’s the specific unwanted behavior you want to reduce?
Identify the Alternative Behavior: What do you want your child to do instead? This should serve the same function as the unwanted behavior. For example, asking politely instead of demanding.
Set Clear Expectations: Explain to your child what you expect them to do.
Reinforce the Alternative Behavior Immediately: When your child does the alternative behavior, provide immediate and enthusiastic reinforcement. This could be praise, a small treat, or a privilege.
Be Consistent: Consistently reinforce the alternative behavior every time it occurs.
Ignore the Unwanted Behavior (When Safe): When your child does the unwanted behavior, ignore it as much as possible (unless it’s harmful or dangerous). Safety is always the priority.

What Kind of Rewards Can I Give?

Positive reinforcement is a key part of DRA. What motivates your child? Here are some ideas:

Tangible Rewards: Stickers, small toys, treats (use these sparingly and think about dietary restrictions)
Social Praise: Specific and enthusiastic praise (“I love how nicely you asked for that!”).
Activities: Let your child engage in a favorite activity.
Privileges: Earning extra screen time or staying up later
Token Economy: A system where your child earns tokens for desired behaviors, which they can then exchange for rewards.

Tailor the rewards to your child’s individual preferences. Check out these four simple reward systems for kids and how they work.

Combining Both Behavior Techniques

For even better results, try combining response blocking and DRA. Here’s an example:

Antecedent: You ask your child to clean up his toys.
Behavior: He starts yelling no, trying to bite and hit you.

Action Taken During the Behavior:

Ignore his tantrum, even scrolling on your phone during that time (DRA).
Continuously blocking his attempts at physical harm (response blocking).
Mountains of praise when he begins cleaning up the toys.

This approach addresses both the immediate behavior and teaches a more appropriate way to respond. It’s a win-win!

Another Example of Applying Response Blocking and DRA

Let’s say your child is hitting their sibling. Here’s how what you could do:

Response Blocking: Gently block your child’s hand to prevent them from hitting their sibling. Say something like, “I won’t let you hit your brother.”
DRA: Encourage a more appropriate behavior. Say, “If you’re angry, tell your brother, ‘I don’t like that!’ or ask me for help.”
Reinforcement: If your child uses their words instead of hitting, praise them enthusiastically. “Great job using your words to tell him how you feel!”

See how you’re stopping the bad behavior and rewarding the good behavior?

When to Ignore Problem Behaviors?

Ignoring unwanted behaviors (when safe) is a crucial part of DRA. Attention, even negative attention, can reinforce a behavior.

Think about it: even if you scold your child, you’re still giving them attention. Here are some examples of behaviors you can safely ignore:

Whining
Complaining

It’s important to remain neutral and avoid eye contact or any other reaction that could be seen as attention. Remember, safety is always the priority.

The Behavior Gets Worse Before It Gets Better

I want to give you a heads-up: when you start implementing these techniques, your child’s behavior might initially get worse. This is because they’re used to getting their way with the unwanted behavior and try harder to get the desired result.

It’s so important to stay consistent and not give in, even when the behavior escalates. If you stick with it, the behavior will eventually decrease. Having a support system in place helps you stay consistent.

The Golden Rule of Behavior Change

I can’t stress this enough: consistency is the most important factor in successfully changing behavior. If you only use these techniques occasionally, your child will get confused, and the behavior will be even more challenging to change.

Work together with your partner and communicate with other caregivers (teachers, grandparents, etc) to ensure consistency across all settings.

Troubleshooting Common Behavioral Challenges

What if you run into some snags? Here are some common challenges and how to handle them:

The child isn’t responding to reinforcement: Make sure the reinforcement is something the child really wants. Try using a variety of reinforcers. Increase the frequency of reinforcement.
The behavior is too dangerous to ignore: Focus on safety first. Use response blocking to prevent harm. Consult with a professional for guidance.
The child is too young to understand: Adapt the techniques to your child’s developmental level. Use simple language and visual aids. Focus on positive reinforcement.
The behavior is happening in public: Try to avoid getting into a power struggle and remain calm. Remove your child from the situation if possible. Focus on reinforcing positive behavior when you get home.

When to Call in the Experts?

These techniques can be powerful, but they’re not a substitute for professional help. It’s important to seek the guidance of a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) or other qualified professional if:

The behavior is severe or dangerous.
The behavior isn’t improving with these techniques.
You’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed.

A professional can conduct an assessment and develop an individualized treatment plan.

Next Steps in Behavior Management

Understanding why your child behaves the way they do is half the battle. Using consistent, positive strategies like response blocking and DRA, you can help your child learn more appropriate behaviors and create a more peaceful home.

Be patient, be persistent, and celebrate the small successes. You’re not alone on this journey, and help is available.

If you found this helpful, share it with other parents who might benefit!

Additional Behavior Management Resources

Want to learn more tips on managing your child’s behavior? Here are some helpful resources:

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