Positive BehavioralStrategies and Supports for Individuals with TBI

Presented by Mitzi Curtis

Co-created with Laura Moore

03/29/2012

Ross Greene, The Explosive Child

People Do Well If They Can

People do the best job they can with the skills they have

Explosive Behavior = Incompatibility of skills and environmental demands

Perceptions

What Is “Behavior”Behavior is Communication

•When behavior interferes with an individual’s ability to succeed in school, work, home and society - that is a communication issue.•We communicate to get our needs met in the most efficient way we can.

Communication isThe act of exchanging

information

Behavior as Communication

Combine slow processing speed, anxiety and stress impeding access to vocabulary, significant language disabilities…Behavior becomes the most efficient way of getting needs met

Communicative IntentThe message behind the words

Responding to Communicative Intent

•Teach•Help

•Support

Responding to the Words

•Lecture•Judge•Argue

ReframingManaging Your Stress by Controlling Your

Thoughts

Upsetting Thoughts

become

Calming Thoughts

ReframingManaging Your Stress

Controlling Your ThoughtsUpsetting Thought

Calming Thought

She is testing to see where the limits are. My job is to stay calm and help her learn better ways to communicate.

Why does she alwayshave to argue!

ReframingManaging Your Stress

Controlling Your ThoughtsUpsetting Thought

Calming Thought

He has a difficult time warming up to people and feeling safe with them.He feels safe with his mom.

He is so clingy with his mom. He doesn’t let anyone else get close to her.

ReframingManaging Your Stress

Controlling Your ThoughtsUpsetting Thought

Calming Thought

She may not understand my expectations.She may need visuals to help her understandBoundaries.

I have to watch her like a hawk or she will run out of the play area.

ReframingManaging Your Stress

Controlling Your ThoughtsUpsetting Thought

Calming Thought

He may want to play with others and doesn’t know how to ask.He may need visuals to help him understand ownership and boundaries.

He constantly gets into other people’s stuff and destroys their things.

Reframing Is not necessarily coming up with

solutions to a problem.

Reframing is restating a problem to make it more manageable.

Now….Practical take Home Strategies

1. Basic Incredible 5 point scales

2. The Anxiety Curve Worksheet

3. Problem Solving Worksheets

Examples of Rating Scales for Everybody

1. Voice Volume

2. Energy Level

3. My Verbal Responses to Requests

Voice Volume Scale

Screaming

Loud

Talk/Conversation

Soft /Whisper

No sound

Okay Not Okay 5

4

3

2

1

My Energy Level

Too Much Energy - Bonkers!

A lot of Energy -Excited

Average Energy - Awake

Calm Energy- Peaceful

No Energy - Drowsy

5

4

3

2

1

WHEN, WHERE, with WHOM would these energy levels Be Okay and Not Okay?

My Verbal Responses to Requests

5 - hurtful4 - negative3 - neutral2 - constructive 1 - positive

From Who’s Perspective? How does tone of voice, volume and facial expression impact opinion?

Understanding My Feelings

When the individual with TBI can be part of

problem solving and self-awareness

Which Leads Us to:The Anxiety Curve Worksheet

Helping All of Us Know What to Do

The Anxiety Curve Worksheet

432

1

43

2

‘Being and teaching’ occurs at 1 and 2. Redirection at 3. Protection, silence and nerves of steel at 4 and 5.

Be the individual’s advocate / ally 1 - 5

1

5

Last but not LeastProblem Solving Worksheets

1. What People Need to Know (form to make a visual/written plan)

In Your Packet:

2. Problem Solving Worksheet

Questions?