When these events follow behaviors such as aggression or tantrums, these inappropriate behaviors can be strengthened. Another way that behavior is strengthened is the removal of an unpleasant situation. If an individual does not like therapy or resents being told to get dressed or do a chore, any behavior that removes the unpleasant demand is strengthened. This is often what happens when inappropriate behavior occurs in therapy during the difficult rehabilitation process. Unfortunately, it is sometimes rehabilitation itself that accidentally strengthens behavior problems.
Staff can present cues that are unclear or confusing.
Staff can unknowingly provide attention following behavior problems, or allow a person to escape from unpleasant therapies. In these cases, it is easy to see that the individual with behavior problems is not to blame. However, many people have agitated behavior in the early stages of recovery from brain injury. In most cases, behavior problems improve and eventually go away completely. Unfortunately, in some cases, a tendency to engage in problem behaviors can be a lifelong condition, particularly if effective treatment is not provided in the early stages of recovery.