Behavior AT

 Behavior is a way a person reacts in response to a particular situation or stimulus. At my preschool I work at, there is positive and negative ways children handle each situation. 

The four main functions of behavior are: "Attention: behavior that seeks attention or recognition from others. Escape or avoidance: behavior that seeks to escape or avoid something uncomfortable or unpleasant. Access to tangible items or activities: behavior that seeks access to tangible items or preferred activities. Sensory stimulation: behavior that seeks sensory input or stimulation, such as rocking or hand-flapping" (Lightner, n.d).   

 "Reinforcement is the science of decision making" (Verma, 2021). The difference between positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement is the way you reinforce any type of behavior. Positive reinforcement is designed to encourage a positive behavior to the child. This can be done by offering prizes, rewards, or compliments. Negative reinforcement is either taking something away from the child or punishing them. You want to dismiss a negative behavior.

Examples of AT for behavior: 

1. Reminder devices (vibrating watch) (Lynch, 2018): This tool would be useful for kids with behavior disorders as they are easily distracted. The vibrating watch will vibrate when the child is distracted in order to get them back on track with their assignment.  

(eSeasonGear, n.d)

2. Talk Light (Lynch, 2018): A talk light can benefit a child with a behavioral disability as they may be sensitive or overstimulated to loud or multiple sounds in an area. This talk light will change color depending on the amount of noise in a room to inform the teacher that the room is too loud for a student with behavioral problems. 

(Amazon, n.d)

3. Stopwatch Timer (Crowley, 2007): A timer is a great tool for allowing the child to build trust with a teacher. For example, if a teacher says there is 5 minutes left of play time, the child will be reinforced with the sound of the alarm going off as proof that 5 minutes has passed. Another way this device can be used is to track the amount of time between a child getting distracted and back to doing their work. 

(Amazon, n.d)

Resources: 

Amazon. (n.d). Yacker tracker noise level monitor. Retrieved from: Amazon.com: Yacker Tracker Noise Level Monitor, LED, 17 Inches, Red/Yellow/Green : Electronics

Amazon. (n.d). Body sport digital timer. Retrieved from: Amazon.com: Body Sport Digital Timer – Sports Stopwatch and Countdown Timer for Fitness & Exercise Routines – Multifunctional Timer for Gym, Kitchen, Classroom, and Office Settings – Easy to Use – Battery : Sports & Outdoors

Assistive technology in the classroom Dell text 

Crowley, P., Parette, H., Wojcik, B. (2007, September). Reducing overload in students with learning and behavioral disorders: the role of assistive technology. Retrieved from: Reducing Overload in Students with Learning and Behavioral Disorders: The Role of Assistive Technology

Diamantidis, S., Verma, P. (2021, April 21). What is behavior learning? Retrieved from: What is Reinforcement Learning? – Overview of How it Works | Synopsys 

eSeasonGear. (n.d). Vibralite 3 vibrating watch. Retrieved from: $43 VibraLITE 3 Vibrating Watch, VL300V-WB, White/Blue, Free Shipping! (eseasongear.com)

Hacking Applied Behavior Analysis. (2022, December). The four functions of behavior. Retrieved from: (44) The Four Functions of Behavior | ABA - YouTube 

Lightner, L. (n.d). 4 functions of behavior and your FBA/behavior plan. Retrieved on 2023, April 3. Retrieved from: 4 Functions of Behavior and your FBA/Behavior Plan (adayinourshoes.com) 

Lynch, M. (2018, May 8). Assistive technology to help students with behavioral disabilities succeed academically. Retrieved from: Assistive Technology to Help Students with Behavioral Disabilities Succeed Academically - The Edvocate (theedadvocate.org)