Have what you’d call a non-compliant child? First off, let me promise you you’re not alone. And allow me to encourage you: parenting a non-compliant child is not easy! That said, you CAN be successful. It just requires a new approach. What do I mean by this? Parenting a child with compliance issues (a.k.a. defiant
Tips for dealing with your non-compliant child Read More »
Ready to increase desired behaviors in your child, and take some of the emotional struggles out of parenting a child with special needs? A token economy, also known as token reinforcement, is easy to set up and implement. What is a token economy? Remember that gold star you coveted on your homework in elementary school?
How to set up a token economy for your child Read More »
Here’s the scene: I’m sitting in an airport with two grandfatherly gentlemen, one of whom had never had children, I might add, and polite chit chat leads to the inevitable place where I divulge that my day job is all about behavior modification. We talked a bit, not too deeply and seemingly safely, but there
Why time out doesn’t work Read More »
When most of us think of the word ‘behavior’, we think of good behavior. “Behave!” we command an unruly child. Or, we comment ruefully, “Don’t they know how to behave?” when we witness poor actions. But behavior is not just being good or bad. Behavior, at least for the purposes of the science of applied
What is behavior, really? Read More »
When you are raised in the South, there are a few things that you can expect with certainty: plenty of fried chicken, church on Sunday, and a spanking if you ever sassed your mama. Spanking was a regular part of my childhood, and I certainly don’t think I was emotionally or physically scarred by that
Is spanking children effective? Why I stopped spanking Read More »
Why is my kid acting this way? Why can’t my child just behave? Sounds familiar? We’ve all felt the unique frustration that comes on the heels of a tantrum, or worse. But despite this universal truth, talking about behavior, especially children’s behavior, is something that can really cause anxiety for parents. Good news! Behaviors always
Parenting science: the ABCs of behavior Read More »
One of the major side-eyes given to behavioralism is that it does not consider emotions when dealing with people and their behavior. While this is mostly true, it is not a cold, rigid, or unfeeling practice, as most detractors would propose. The focus of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is on the environment and what can
What about my feelings? Understanding behavioralism Read More »
The breaking point for me was 24.8 weeks pregnant. I’m not sure why the .8 even matters, except for that I know I was counting the hours until I had to actually be responsible for the person growing inside me, so I was a little obsessed with the passage of time. Plus, I’ve always liked
So what is ‘behavioral science’, anyway? Where the journey begins Read More »
Behavioral laws are predictable ways in which behavior is developed and changes over time. And let’s face it: predictable behavior is exactly what parents are looking for, especially when a toddler is rolling around on the floor screaming because they asked for the blue cup, and you GAVE THEM THE BLUE CUP. Here’s what you
How to become a parenting superhero in two easy steps Read More »
People are always behaving. That is, they are always doing something that has an impact on the environment and can be observed…and if necessary, changed. Think about sitting in a coffee shop or a shopping center. You could describe a variety of behaviors that you see around you. Even if someone is sitting perfectly still
Pink elephants on parade: constructing behavior Read More »