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The word behaviour

ToastieSimonsToastieSimons member
in Special Needs
At our Parent-Teacher Conference the OT and teacher brought up "behaviours" that they see in DS1.  One included, refusing to sit in circle time independently if he wanted to do something else.  He would then throw a small tantrum and need one-on-one redirection.  DS1 has ID.  I'd say he's about 10-12 month cognitively if I had to take a stab.

The term behaviour implies that he's making a choice to act inappropriately and knows how to make the right choice.  Do I just overlook the term or do I try to address it differently?

I have a few issues with it because 1) he has zero receptive language, I think he responds more to tone than actual words.  So giving him a verbal prompt to sit still won't help.  I don't think he's choosing to ignore the teacher
2)I don't know if he understands time and that now we sit and in a little bit we play, or the option of playing later.  He gets upset if he sees snack on the table and he's not in his chair ready to eat.  He doesn't understand waiting.

So I don't think he's willfully being disobedient.  Is there a better term than behaviour for this?
To my boys:  I will love you for you Not for what you have done or what you will become I will love you for you I will give you the love The love that you never knew
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Re: The word behaviour

  • ToastieSimonsToastieSimons member
    -auntie- said:
    Behavior is the term. I can't think of something better.

    It sounds like you are presuming a "choice" or value judgement. 

    Behavior is what you see him doing. Behavior is communication. Obviously circumstances play into and color  this- his skill and cognition levels, his mood, his arousal, willful choices, anxiety, etc. 

    It is a term without judgement that should only mean "what is observed".

    Specific to him not responding appropriately to a verbal prompt, it could be that it's meaningless verbiage to him, that he doesn't realize it applies to him (my DS at this age), that he does register it because of hearing, processing or cognitive issues, or that he is choosing to ignore it. Only further investigation will reveal the all important antecedent and a plan to work on the issue effectively.
    My own personal opinion.,..is that his brain doesn't process sounds the way we do.  We speak clearly and efficiently and he hears charlie brown's teacher.  I know his hearing is fine in terms of physical ability.  But he can't mimic any words, he doesn't recognize anyone by name, he doesn't recognize items by name.  If you said "ball" he would stare at you, if you said "daddy" he would stare at you.  If you said "ice cream" (his favorite thing ever) he would stare at you.  But he has zero language recognition when it comes to people, or objects.

    He does respond to his name, but I think it's more of the sound of it.  His name sounds similar to DS2's name and when I called DS2's name the other day, DS1 responded by coming over.  
    To my boys:  I will love you for you Not for what you have done or what you will become I will love you for you I will give you the love The love that you never knew
    Report Reply
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  • bumpuser511563bumpuser511563 member
    ToastieSimons said:
    -auntie- said:
    Behavior is the term. I can't think of something better.

    It sounds like you are presuming a "choice" or value judgement. 

    Behavior is what you see him doing. Behavior is communication. Obviously circumstances play into and color  this- his skill and cognition levels, his mood, his arousal, willful choices, anxiety, etc. 

    It is a term without judgement that should only mean "what is observed".

    Specific to him not responding appropriately to a verbal prompt, it could be that it's meaningless verbiage to him, that he doesn't realize it applies to him (my DS at this age), that he does register it because of hearing, processing or cognitive issues, or that he is choosing to ignore it. Only further investigation will reveal the all important antecedent and a plan to work on the issue effectively.
    My own personal opinion.,..is that his brain doesn't process sounds the way we do.  We speak clearly and efficiently and he hears charlie brown's teacher.  I know his hearing is fine in terms of physical ability.  But he can't mimic any words, he doesn't recognize anyone by name, he doesn't recognize items by name.  If you said "ball" he would stare at you, if you said "daddy" he would stare at you.  If you said "ice cream" (his favorite thing ever) he would stare at you.  But he has zero language recognition when it comes to people, or objects.

    He does respond to his name, but I think it's more of the sound of it.  His name sounds similar to DS2's name and when I called DS2's name the other day, DS1 responded by coming over.  
    I love the description of Charlie Brown's Teacher!
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
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