Do you need suggestions about how to improve your loved one’s behavior? Don’t look elsewhere! For those with Down syndrome, these five strategies typically have positive results.
- Routine
Every child needs structure and routine, but children with Down syndrome (DS) particularly need these things. People with DS frequently struggle to understand and retain spoken instructions, especially if they are very complex. Giving children structure during routine everyday activities like getting dressed, using the toilet, and eating can often aid in their learning of these easy tasks.
The best way to prevent any undesirable behavior that can result from these circumstances is to stick with the routine and go through them in brief words of guidance. Visual timetables are advised by several behavior specialists, including Dr. David Stein.
His book Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome explains them. Preparing your youngster for their next task will also help with routine. According to Dr. Mary Pipan, making a transition from one activity to another involves planning and may be facilitated by alerting your child to the change vocally or visually. The use of visual timetables is also advised. Pictures of places and events that describe the daily schedule are used to create visual timetables.
- Reward
Children, especially those with DS, can be highly motivated by positive reinforcement of excellent conduct. Reward options are many. One method is making a promise in order to influence a youngster to engage in a particular action you want them to. This reward might be a treat or an enjoyable activity for the kid.
These are impromptu agreements one may make with a child, although many child behavior specialists advise using a more organized incentive system, such as a token economy. A structured incentive system called a token economy often consists of a straightforward chart with images of good conduct.
When desirable actions are displayed, the chart is checked off, and a justifiable reward is then given to reinforce and promote the behavior. In his work, Dr. Stein includes advice on how to create a token economy.
Simply praising good conduct is another tactic that over time might have a lasting impact. It is significant and effective because it instantly instills in a youngster a good emotion they can connect to the conduct they just showed. It’s crucial to commend the youngster when they act well, such as when they pick up their toys after playing or even when they eat their veggies. High fives may be quite effective!
- Choice
Always provide your youngster with a choice. This will lessen the likelihood of negative behavior triggers and give them a sense of empowerment. You won’t need to impose choices by letting the youngster choose from options you have previously accepted. Simple decisions like what cereal to have for breakfast or what shirt to wear to school might be included in this list.
Discipline flexibility is also crucial. It’s crucial to remember that both children with DS and generally developing kids frequently misbehave just to get attention or a reaction. They frequently only aim to elicit any response, whether it be outrage or laughter.
It is preferable to ignore small incorrect behavior than to respond. Reactions would encourage the really improper conduct you’re trying to stop. When everything else fails, Dr. Stein advises, keep your bond with your child intact. It doesn’t promote good conduct to yell at your child for every little thing, and it could even be worse than doing nothing at all.
- Redirection
Sensory seeking is an easy habit for children with DS to develop. Children can utilize sensory input—messages we get from our five senses—to comfort themselves during stressful situations or to act out when they are angry or sad.
Some of the things individuals could decide to do in order to satisfy their sensory craving may be gratifying or unpleasant. Some actions may be motivated by boredom and a desire for attention. Jumping, often touching people or things, and making loud noises are a few examples of sensory-seeking behaviors.
When a kid is engaging in sensory-seeking behaviors, it might be helpful to guide their free-time activities by playing, reading, or drawing with them. These actions are frequently predictable. Knowing what can set off the bad behavior will enable you to be ready with a replacement activity to steer the youngster toward a good one.
- Consistency
To change behavior, you must be consistent. Children instinctively test limits and subconsciously record how their actions are handled and how they feel as a result. Consistency and a strategy for rewarding positive conduct and discouraging negative behavior seem straightforward, but Dr. Stein cautions that human nature tends to focus on the negative rather than the positive.
He also emphasizes the significance of maintaining a constant, unified front. This requires that your tactics be understood and agreed upon by your siblings, teachers, and other caretakers.
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To read our blog on “Google Trains Voice Assistants To Understand Down Syndrome,” click here
