Disability can have a major impact on the way your child behaves. For many families, a behavior support plan (BSP) is essential. A BSP is a comprehensive document designed to identify behavioral challenges and offer effective solutions. Your child’s BSP may be developed as part of their therapeutic preschool program. With a strong plan, you can help your child overcome challenges and build up to developmentally appropriate behavior.
What is a behavior support plan and why is it important?
A BSP is a plan developed by trained professionals. The goal of a BSP is to first identify behaviors to modify; the next step of the plan is pairing these behaviors with strategies and replacement behaviors to build up to a desired behavior. Though a BSP is developed by professionals, it should be used by every caregiver in a child’s life. This can help ensure consistency in the way behaviors are addressed.
Different behaviors are addressed in different ways, and your child’s BSP will be tailored to their particular condition and behaviors. Sometimes, there is a clear switch that needs to be made from one behavior to another. In other situations, there are many incremental replacement behaviors to build to the desired behavior. Gradual change can provide more attainable milestones, which may boost your child’s motivation to improve.
As your child makes progress, encouragement is important. Regular, specific praise should be given along the way. Documentation is important as well. Whether your child is improving or not, making notes of their behavior can be key to success. If there are no noticeable changes, it may be a sign that your child’s BSP needs to be adjusted.
Behaviors that a behavior support plan can help address
A BSP may not be necessary for every child with disabilities. “Bad” behavior doesn’t necessarily require a BSP. BSPs are typically intended for children exhibiting behaviors that are not developmentally appropriate. If your child is engaging in unwanted but developmentally appropriate behaviors, a BSP may not be the right fit. However, it can be highly valuable in certain situations. If you’re not sure whether a BSP might benefit your child, learning more about some of the behaviors commonly addressed may be helpful. In some cases, a behavior support plan can be key to making changes.
- Excessive hitting — Children with disabilities often feel frustrated by perceived limitations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) notes that this frustration is sometimes shown through aggression. While frustration is a normal part of life, physical aggression may be a developmentally inappropriate reaction. If your child hits themselves or others, rapid intervention is vital. With a BSP, you can identify the triggers for your child’s hitting behavior and find ways to avoid them. You can also work to encourage alternative behaviors. The best alternatives will depend on the reasons behind their behavior. If your child hits as a way to release their emotions, for example, practicing communication skills can help your child learn to talk about their feelings instead of hitting.
- Limited attention span — Some disabilities can make it hard to concentrate for extended periods of time. A child with a disability may have trouble staying attentive, leading them to frequently get distracted. If you notice your child often switching tasks or not finishing activities they start, it could be a sign that a BSP may help. A BSP can introduce strategies to gradually improve your child’s focus and attention span. This can contribute to better learning and reduced frustration.
- Difficulty following instructions — If your child has difficulty following instructions, a BSP may help. Difficulty with instructions is often connected to the way someone processes information. It can also be connected to avoidant behaviors. A BSP can help identify the causes behind your child’s difficulties. If your child intentionally resists following instructions, the BSP can help with behavior modification. This process might involve giving more clear step-by-step instructions and reinforcing responsibilities.
Get help managing and modifying your child’s behaviors with Ability KC
At Ability KC, we offer tailored support for children with disabilities. Our strategies include behavior support plans. We have an early intervention coordinator and licensed clinical social worker who can support the implementation and modification of your child’s BSP. Our staff is trained in safe crisis management, which supports the use of prevention and de-escalation strategies as well as behavior support plans to promote health and safety at all times. While private preschool programs do not typically offer these services, our therapeutic preschool does. Our team can help your child modify their behaviors and navigate challenging situations. We’re committed to helping each child overcome difficulties and make progress toward long-term improvement.
Ability KC is a designated Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) with a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation and a National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.