| Many times parents are puzzled by their child with | | | | what was important it worked for the boy and |
| Autism's behavior. Figuring out what your child is | | | | for his parents. Their family valued not interrupting |
| saying with the behavior is one of the first things | | | | so a tap was acceptable. Because the parents |
| I always try to do. An important part of that | | | | complimented him and gave him their attention |
| though is remembering that in some way even a | | | | the boy continued to do this even through what is |
| child with Autism is trying to get their wants and | | | | now his teen years. |
| needs met. It might not be the way a typical child | | | | The 'Behavior Support' was teaching him an |
| would go about it, but it is still the same goal. | | | | acceptable technique to get what he wanted. |
| Positive Behavior Supports can be an important | | | | Complimenting and giving him their attention was |
| tool in teaching our children how to get those | | | | the reward in this situation. It was the 'positive' in |
| wants and needs met. If a child wants attention | | | | the Positive Behavior Supports. |
| they are going to get it, one way or another. It | | | | The only other part we need to talk about is |
| works better for us and for our children for us to | | | | consistency. For Positive Behavior Supports to |
| teach them an acceptable way to get our | | | | work a parent has to be really consistent. It is |
| attention. One parent of a child with Autism | | | | sort of like a slot machine if you only win |
| taught him to tap someone on the shoulder. | | | | sometimes; you want to play some more. If a |
| That particular way to get my attention would | | | | child gets away with the unacceptable behavior |
| drive me wild. But it worked for them. That was | | | | sometimes he or she will do it some more. |