PROACTIVE STRATEGIES Strategy Brief Description What does this look like? When to use it What does this look like for the person you support? Positive Attention Positive or neutral social attention given on behavior and occurs more frequently than problem behavior occurs. Throughout the day, staff initiate positive interactions with the person, regardless of what they are currently doing. Problem behavior functions to get attention Pre-specify reinforcer Before asking the person to do a task, identify a desirable activity or item that will occur after completing the task. Emphasize the reinforcer instead of the task. Talking about tasks in terms of preferred activities or items that will occur after the task is done. Problem behavior functions to avoid tasks/activities Collaboration Working with the person on a difficult or unpleasant task in order to make them easier, quicker, more fun, and increase the chance they complete the task. Offer help BEFORE problem behavior occurs. Knowing a person tries to avoid doing dishes, offer help completing the task when presenting it. Problem behavior functions to avoid tasks/activities or maintain attention Schedules Written schedule or pictures to indicate what activity is first, what is next, and what comes later. Have a sequence of activities or tasks available to help the person see what they’re day looks like when they have trouble switching from one task to the next. Problem behavior functions to avoid task/activity termination or sudden activity changes
Lists Written list or pictures of activities. The person chooses the order. Problem behavior functions to avoid task/activity termination or sudden activity changes Calendars Weekly or monthly calendars to indicate when events will occur and to help the person participate in event planning and time management. Problem behavior functions to avoid task/activity termination or sudden activity changes Concrete affirmative answers to requests When a person makes a request for something they cannot have immediately, answer them affirmatively and let them know when they can have what they are asking for. Saying yes to the request and when that will work. May not work the first time, but can become a negotiation. In conjunction with calendars/schedules, great way to build planning and negotiation skills Choices instead of demands Instead of giving a demand to do a task, give choices about what task to do or different options available for completing the task. -There are 4 chores to complete for the day, offer choice of 2 of them. -Floor has to be cleaned, we can use the broom or the vacuum. Problem behavior functions to escape demands/tasks Using a preferred item as a distractor Pair less-preferred activities with something the person likes. Going to the doctor is no fun so we take the DS with us for the ride there and the wait in the waiting room. Problem behavior functions to escape/avoid aversive environments or activities Fading-in demands Gradually introducing more time or effort into an activity that a person does not prefer Asking a person to put the plates on the counter after dinner that’s all. Gradually expect more time/effort in weeks/months ahead Problem behavior functions to escape/avoid activities