How to Make a Behavior Intervention Plan for an Autistic Child

A behavior intervention plan targets problem behavior displayed by an autistic child and gives strategies to change the behavior. It's used to help a child in a classroom, social or home environment but is most often used in a school setting. A team of school professionals usually develop the plan, with input from parents. A good plan will help the child succeed in school and social relationships.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Gather baseline data to document incidents. Note the time, events leading up to incidents of problem behavior, which individuals were present at the time, and what was done during or after the incident.
2. Identify the child's strengths and weaknesses. Make sure the plan targets the weak areas and works with his strengths.
3. Recognize behaviors that are causing problems. Pick out the skills that you feel the child is lacking. Identify "red flags," or behavior patterns that signify an aggressive outburst. List the problem behaviors on the behavior intervention plan in concise, definitive terms.
4. Find out how the child learns most effectively--through action, listening or seeing. Use the appropriate sensory cues when planning activities and working with the child. For example, a visual child should be shown pictures of her daily scheduled activities, visual timers to show when activities will end, clear visual boundaries for areas she shouldn't enter and visual reminders at several intervals before a transition is to occur.
   
5. Choose reinforcement and punishment based on the child's likes and dislikes. Good behavior can be rewarded with activities the child enjoys, favorite toys or food. Withdrawing eye contact and time out can be strategies used for punishing poor behavior. Schedule activities so that easy ones, like free time or play, follow hard ones and serve as positive reinforcement.
6. Make sure the plan includes clear instructions to teachers and staff and allows them to specify what methods are used to teach and measure progress.
7. Analyze the plan periodically to determine its effectiveness. Make adjustments as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Research proposed teaching methods to determine their effectiveness and safety. Find out how results will be monitored and evaluated.
• Make sure that the plan is a good fit with the school's policies and regulations.