Posts

Tips for dealing with your non-compliant child

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…

How to set up a token economy for your child

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?…

Why time out doesn’t work

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…

What is behavior, really?

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…

Is spanking children effective? Why I stopped spanking

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…

Parenting science: the ABCs of behavior

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…