Challenging Behaviors

Addressing important issues for people with ID/DD

A Conversation with Dr. Temple Grandin

Topic: Challenging Behaviors, Counseling, Self-Advocacy, Staff Training
Format: Video, Q&A
Population: ASD
Age Group: All
Levels of Disability: All

Our recent conversation with Dr. Temple Grandin centers around the sensory issues and the need to develop a person's area of strength.

ADHD and the Role of Controls

Topic: Challenging Behaviors, Children with Special Needs, Staff Training
Format: PowerPoint/Presentation
Population: All
Age Group: Early Childhood, School Age
Levels of Disability: All

This training provides a user-friendly view of ADHD as a breakdown in the brain's four "executive" functions. Humorous examples demonstrate how the executive functions operate in the general population and in atypical individuals. A worksheet for small group activity teaches attendees how to apply the lessons in this workshop to supporting the brains of the children they work with.

Applied Behavior Analysis for Adults

Topic: Challenging Behaviors, Staff Training
Format: PowerPoint/Presentation
Population: All
Age Group: All
Levels of Disability: All

Geared for direct service professionals, the training covers all the bases, from investigating the causes of behavior (functional assessment) to the many methods of building positive behaviors.

Basic Behavioral Techniques

Topic: Challenging Behaviors, Staff Training
Format: Handout/Review Sheet
Population: All
Age Group: All
Levels of Disability: All

This 2 page handout highlights the important components of Behavioral Techniques. Use it to review behavioral principles at a staff meeting or as a worksheet for building a team plan

Been There, Done That, Didn't Work!

Topic: Challenging Behaviors, Children with Special Needs
Format: PowerPoint/Presentation
Population: All
Age Group: Adolescent, Childhood, Early Childhood, School Age, Young Adult
Levels of Disability: All

Is your staff challenged by difficult behaviors? Been There, Done That, Didn't Work, says it all! This PowerPoint, while empathizing with teachers, presents best practices for encouraging the growth and development of children through positive classroom experiences.

Behavior Intervention Flow Chart

Topic: Challenging Behaviors, Staff Training
Format: Handout/Review Sheet
Population: All
Age Group: All
Levels of Disability: All

This easy-to-follow flow chart structures your search for supports. Use this tool to determine when and how to determine solutions.

Cultivating Signature Strengths

From "The Art of Bouncing Back"

Topic: Counseling, Challenging Behaviors, Self-Advocacy
Format: Lesson Plan
Population: All
Age Group: Adult, Young Adult
Levels of Disability: Mild (high functioning), Moderate

Cultivating Signature Strengths begins by introducing the learners to the concept of resiliency, the ability to bounce back from life\'s challenges. Using a simple tool, this lesson helps each individual examine his/her strengths and find ways to incorporate them more often into each day.

Dr. Peter Della Bella on Tips for Working with People with Autism in the Clinic Setting

Expert Tips & Challenges

Topic: Staff Training, Challenging Behaviors
Format: Tips and Challenges
Population: ASD
Age Group: All
Levels of Disability: All

Dr. Della Bella, Director of Clinical Programs at Premier Health Care, shares guidelines for supporting individuals with autism.

Dual Diagnosis Problem Solving Tips by Residential Psychologist Abby Baker Lynch

Expert Tips & Challenges

Topic: Counseling, Challenging Behaviors
Format: Tips and Challenges
Population: All
Age Group: All
Levels of Disability: All

Abby Baker-Lynch, MA, Regional Psychology Consultant, at YAI Networkand Mental Health Therapist, at YAI's Article 16 Clinic, shares some of her "tips and challenges" regarding problem solving. Abby works as an Applied Behavioral Science Specialist for an Independent Residential Alternative (IRA), curriculum development consultant, and has been a staff trainer for the last 25 years. Abby\'s clinical expertise is in the area of dual diagnosis with people with Intellectual Disabilities.

Helping Consumers Cope with Hypersensitivity to the Environment

From "The Best of YAI" Newsletter

Topic: Children with Special Needs, Challenging Behaviors, Teaching Techniques
Format: Newsletter
Population: All
Age Group: All
Levels of Disability: All

A chime that brings a smile to one person can be an overwhelming noise to a person with hypersensitivity to the environment, a condition known as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). The good news is that children and adults with SPD can be helped through Sensory Integration therapy. This YAI Newsletter will give you effective strategies for use in the therapy room that can also be applied to the program team.

Maria Scalley, PsyD. on Dual Diagnosis

Expert Tips & Challenges

Topic: Challenging Behaviors
Format: Tips and Challenges
Population: All
Age Group: All
Levels of Disability: All

Accurately diagnosing psychiatric disorders in individuals with intellectual disabilities presents many challenges. Psychologist Maria Scalley discusses the communication, medical and environmental conditions that can interfere with the assessment process. She also outlines the considerations and tools that help build an accurate diagnosis.

Optimism and Positive Thinking

From "The Art of Bouncing Back"

Topic: Counseling, Challenging Behaviors
Format: Lesson Plan
Population: All
Age Group: Young Adult, Adult
Levels of Disability: Mild (high functioning), Moderate

In this lesson, participants learn that people who are optimistic are happier and better able to bounce back from difficulties.

Packing It In: Preparing Your Child for a Vacation from Parent Advocate, Jeff Stimpson

Expert Tips & Challenges

Topic: Leisure and Crafts, Children with Special Needs, Challenging Behaviors
Format: Tips and Challenges
Population: All
Age Group: School Age, Adolescent
Levels of Disability: All

Jeff is a father of a young son with special needs. He shares with us the challenges he faces as he prepares his son Alex for camp and family vacations, and offers some hints on how to make the process more manageable.

Perseveration

Topic: Challenging Behaviors, Staff Training
Format: PowerPoint/Presentation
Population: All
Age Group: All
Levels of Disability: All

Working with people who ask the same question over and over can be quite challenging. How do we cope with, understand and support individuals who perseverate?
This easy to follow training discusses the 7 causes of perseveration along with the

Personality Disorders

Topic: Challenging Behaviors, Dual Diagnosis, Staff Training
Format: PowerPoint/Presentation
Population: Dual Diagnosis
Age Group: Adult
Levels of Disability: All

Designed to train Direct Service Professionals, the training covers in depth narcissistic, histrionic, antisocial, and borderline disorders.

Problem Solving

From "The Art of Bouncing Back"

Topic: Challenging Behaviors, Counseling
Format: Lesson Plan
Population: All
Age Group: Young Adult, Adult
Levels of Disability: Mild (high functioning), Moderate

In this lesson, participants learn that people who have good problem solving skills are happier and more resilient (better able to bounce back). Activities allow them to learn the steps involved and gain experience in problem solving.

Problem/Challenging Behaviors

A Conversation with Dave Hingsburger

Topic: Challenging Behaviors, Teaching Techniques
Format: Video, Q&A
Population: All
Age Group: Adolescent, Adult, School Age, Young Adult
Levels of Disability: All

David Hingsburger speaks about how to support people with challenging behaviors, and how to build skills using reinforcement.

Psychotic Disorders

Topic: Challenging Behaviors, Dual Diagnosis, Staff Training
Format: PowerPoint/Presentation
Population: All
Age Group: All
Levels of Disability: All

This comprehensive training outlines relevant information in an easy to understand format. It reviews the symptoms of numerous psychotic disorders, explains how this information is applicable to the population we serve, and discusses effective treatment

Relaxation Techniques

Topic: Challenging Behaviors, Self-Advocacy, Counseling
Format: Lesson Plan
Population: All
Age Group: Adult
Levels of Disability: Mild (high functioning), Moderate

Are you relaxed yet? This lesson plan takes you step-by-step through the process of leading a relaxation group seated in chairs.

Tips for Creating a Token Economy

Topic: Challenging Behaviors, Teaching Techniques
Format: Handout/Review Sheet
Population: All
Age Group: School Age, Early Childhood
Levels of Disability: All

Are you looking for ideas to support positive behaviors through a token economy? Download this handy tool loaded with tips for building a successful system for school-age children

Understanding Communication Skills within the Non-Verbal Profound Population from Residential Psychologist Betsy Burtnik

Expert Tips & Challenges

Topic: Relationships and Sexuality, Challenging Behaviors
Format: Tips and Challenges
Population: All
Age Group: All
Levels of Disability: Profound (low functioning)

In this resource Betsy addresses the challenge of teaching society that all individuals with a profound intellectual disability have the ability to communicate and do so just as often as anyone of us.