Intensive behavioral therapy is a technique used to help students with autism and other severe cognitive impairments and behavioral issues. This technique, while individualized based on students' needs, is directed toward positive behavior reinforcement and pivotal response training. It teaches parents and students to respond a certain way to poor behavior and to reinforce good behavior with positive feedback and rewards. This technique addresses behavioral issues while also promoting positive skills development in special needs children.
This therapy helps students with special needs identify the way they feel about a certain situation that causes behavioral problems and then to change the way they feel. Once this therapy technique has helped children change their thoughts and feelings on a certain situation, the technique then requires students to gradually immerse themselves in the situation and reinforces a positive outcome. This technique helps students with special needs overcome feelings of anxiety or nervousness.
Another way to address behavioral problems in special needs students is to have parents and educators outline a set of expectations, guidelines, rules and goals for them. These expectations should be prominently displayed in the classroom and in the home. When a student does something positive and in line with the expectation guidelines, the student should be rewarded. These expectations -- as well as rewards and punishments -- should always remain consistent. In addition, patience should be exercised when working with special needs students.
Another way to avoid behavioral issues and to address those that have come up is to have students stick to a strict routine. Routines help special needs students feel comfortable and confident in their surroundings, and the consistency will help them get through the day feeling better and more positive. When a special needs student has a routine he can depend on, he will be less likely to have behavioral problems. In addition, becoming more consistent in a routine can help ward off some of the behavioral problems that might already exist.