1. Behavioral Intervention
Strategies
Redirection/Calming
By: Dixine Moore

2. Introduction
 Successful behavioral interventions
require understanding of the basic
principles of behavior.
• Behavior topography – what it looks like
• Behavior function – its effects on the
environment

3. Behavioral Interventions
Advantages
 Have measurable outcomes.
 Are not intended to control students,
but enable students to exert more
control over their own behavior.
 The interventions are clearly
described which allows for clear
identification of desired outcome.

4. Positive Reinforcement
 Desired stimuli is presented to person
after appropriate behavior is
displayed.
 Increases the appropriate behavior.
 Decreases the inappropriate behavior.

5. Redirection/Calming
 Watch for signs of student frustration.
 Use de-escalation strategies to
redirect and calm a student. Be
involved with students.

6. Be Alert to Triggers that Lead to
Misbehavior
 Some students misbehave because
they have not been taught how to
behave, which results in
• Difficulty developing friendships
• Meeting teacher expectations
• Dealing with social problems
appropriately

7. Social Skills Instruction
 Can affect classroom behavioral
issues and management practices.
 Can clarify teacher expectations and
help students understand how they
should behave.
 Can improve social interactions and
reduce problem behavior.
 Become “replacement behaviors”.
 Teach students to make the “right”
choices.

8. Results of Teaching Social
Skills
 Helps students develop good
relationships
• With other students
• With teachers
• With community members outside of
school

9. Social Skills Instruction Steps
 Identify social skill needed to replace
problem behavior.
 Model or show the student how to
perform the skill.
 Allow the student to practice using the
skill through role-play situations.
 Reinforce acceptable performance by
letting student perform the skill.

10. Social Skills Example – “Asking
permission to be dismissed”
 Raise your hand
 Wait to be recognized
 Ask permission to be dismissed
 Wait for an answer
 Ask questions if you
do not understand
the answer.

11. Teaching students to Use
Positive “Self-Talk”
 Self-instruction ways of talking through
problems.
 Manages anger
 Replaces negative with positive
thoughts.
 Students recognize triggers that ignite
aggression.
 Helps to avoid conflicts.

12. Benefits of Behavior Intervention
Strategies
 Safe environment for all students.
 Produce positive outcomes in the
classroom.
 Improves the climate of the classroom.
 Less frustration in the classroom.
 Promotes learning for all students.
 Helps build teacher/student
relationships.

13. References
 Skinner, B.F. (1968). The technology of
teaching (The Century Psychology
Series). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice
Hall, Inc.
 Sprick, R.S. (2006). Discipline in the
secondary classroom: A positive
approach to behavior
management (2nd ed.). Englewood
Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
 Sprick, R.S., & Garrison, M. (2008).
Interventions: Evidence-based
behavioral strategies for individual

14. References continued
 Sugai, G., Horner, R. H., Dunlap, G.,
Hieneman, M., Lewis, T., Nelson,
C.M., et al. (2000). Applying positive
behavior support and functional
behavioral assessment in schools.
Journal of Positive Behavioral
Interventions, 2, 131- 143.
 Walker, H.M., (1995). The acting out
child: Coping with classroom
disruption (2nd ed.). Longmont,
CO: Sopris West.

15. References concluded
 Walker, H. M.., & Shinn, M. R. (2002). Structuring
school-based interventions to achieve
integrated primary, secondary, and tertiary
prevention goals for safe and effective
schools. In M.R. Shinn, G. Stoner, & H.M.
Walker (Eds.), Interventions for academic
and behavior problems: Preventive and
remedial approaches (p. 1-26). Silver Spring,
MD: National Association of School
Psychologists.
 Witt, J.C., Martens, B.K., Elliott, S.N., (1984).
Factors affecting teachers’ judgments of the
acceptability of behavioral interventions: Time
involvement, behavior problem severity, and
type of intervention. Behavior Therapy,
Volume 15, Issue 2, 204-209.