Behavior. Such a small word, yet it can shape so much of our daily lives as parents. If you’re raising a child with a disability, you’ve probably heard it all — “Your child is non-compliant.” Or “Your child wandered off again today.” Or maybe just the frustratingly vague “We don’t understand why [insert “bad” behavior here] is happening.” Sound familiar?
Here’s a game-changing idea that flips behavior on its head: as clinical psychologist Dr. Ross Greene says, “Kids do well if they can.” This means that when kids struggle, it’s not because they’re being difficult on purpose or lacking the motivation to be “good” — it’s because they may not have the skills yet to handle a situation, and often can’t communicate to us why. Every behavior, whether it’s an emotional outburst, hitting, avoiding tasks, head banging, wandering off, or refusing to go to school, has a reason behind it. And here’s the thing — it’s up to us to figure out what that reason is.
That doesn’t make it any less overwhelming in the moment. How do you handle it right now while also trying to figure out why it’s happening? And with so many behavior approaches out there (to ABA or not to ABA?) it’s hard to know which one actually helps our kids (and us, too!). This week, we’re diving into the language of our kids’ behavior (and a lot more!) because understanding the why behind challenging behaviors is the key to finding interventions — in and out of school — that are strength-based, truly support our kiddos, and are aligned with our values.
Check out these articles that cover different approaches to behavior, common challenges and interventions, neurodiversity-affirming therapies, and behavioral goals in the IEP. Plus, you’ll find expert tips for parents on managing behavior at school, at home, and in the community — straight from professionals in behavior, special education, and psychology!
- Behavior 101
- Common Behavior Challenges in Children (and How to Approach Them)
- Common Behavioral Interventions and Therapies (and How to Fund Them)
- Supporting Our Children’s Behavior at School
- School Refusal 101
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) 101
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) 101
- Functional Behavioral Assessments 101
Add these goals to your Undivided account for step-by-step guides to help you with requesting behavioral assessments and funding, as well as finding providers.
One parent told their Undivided Navigator, “You have been such an important piece of this journey! Thank you for everything and all your support this past year. We started at the very beginning and needed so much support navigating those early days. So grateful for you and your wisdom and willingness. I hope Undivided continues to grow and help support families like ours — such important work and such possibility.”
Join us for our new IHSS workshop series
Do you need help with IHSS, either with a new application or your child’s ongoing services? We’re hosting a four-part workshop series that will continue on February 18 and 25 and March 4, where Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck will provide interactive training for becoming a parent provider, applying for protective supervision or paramedical services, requesting more hours, and much more. Our upcoming IHSS workshop series is exclusively for Undivided Platform and Navigator members! If you’re not already a member, get a free 30-day trial to attend. You can cancel anytime.
Join us for expert office hours
If you’re an Undivided member, join us for a live Q&A on Wednesday, February 19, at 12:00 p.m PT with Undivided Special Education Advocate Lisa Carey, where she’ll answer all of your questions about IEPs, special education, and more. If you’re not an Undivided member yet, get started here to join us for office hours!
Behavior 101: Supporting Kids Through Challenging Behaviors
As parents of children with disabilities, helping our kids navigate challenging behaviors while following the plans and goals set by therapists, doctors, and behaviorists can feel like learning a new language. Join us Friday, February 14 at 12:00 p.m PT in conversation with top behavior experts who share effective strategies for supporting our kids through these challenges. Tune in to the stream on our Facebook page.
Have you heard these statistics about parents raising kids with disabilities? Learn why parents in our community need extra support!
Hear from trusted experts how to understand your child’s behavior and support their needs. Check out our full Behavior playlist on YouTube→
We’re following the news about potential cuts to Medicaid and sharing resources about ways to advocate for what our kids need. Check out our LinkedIn page for updates→
Wondering who to contact or what to say to help protect our kids’ services and funding? Check out recommendations from parents in our private Facebook group→
