Controlling Behavior: Pam Britton Reese Nena C. Challenner

Controlling Behavior
Pam Britton Reese

Nena C. Challenner
Skill Areas: Social Skills/Language

Ages: 8 through 12
Grades: 3rd through 7th
Copyright © 2002 LinguiSystems, Inc.

All of our products are copyrighted
to protect the fine work of our authors.
Copying this entire book for any reason
is prohibited. You may, however, copy
the lessons as needed for your own
use with students. Any other repro-
duction or distribution of these lessons
is not allowed, including copying this
book to use as another primary source
LinguiSystems, Inc. FAX: 1-800-577-4555 or “master” copy.
3100 4th Avenue E-mail: [email protected]
East Moline, IL 61244-9700 Web: www.linguisystems.com Printed in the U.S.A.
1-800 PRO IDEA TDD: 1-800-933-8331
1-800-776-4332 (for those with hearing impairments) ISBN 0-7606-0416-9
About the Authors
Pam Britton Reese, M.A., CCC-SLP, owns a private practice,

CommunicAid Plus, where she provides speech and language
services to children and adults. She is also an educational
consultant to public and private schools in Texas. Autism & PDD:
Intermediate Social Skills Lessons is her fifth publication with
LinguiSystems.
Nena C. Challenner, M.Ed., is an assistant principal at Long-

branch Elementary School in Midlothian, Texas. She has over
20 years of experience in general and special education.
Autism & PDD: Intermediate Social Skills Lessons is her
fourth publication with LinguiSystems.
Acknowledgment
We would like to thank all the wonderful parents and professionals who responded to our
e-mail request for information on the special challenges facing preteens with autism.
Illustrations by Eulala Conner

Page Layout by Christine Buysse
Cover Design by Mike Paustian
Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Throwing Food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Pinching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Expressing Feelings Hitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Expressing Anxiety . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Biting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Expressing Frustration . . . . . . . . . . 10 Scratching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Expressing Anger . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Kicking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Expressing Sadness . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Head Butting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Expressing Disappointment . . . . . . 13 Pushing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Choking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Special Problems Pulling Hair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Seeking Attention with Stomping on Feet . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Inappropriate Actions . . . . . . . . 14 Pulling Out Own Hair . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Inappropriate Drawings . . . . . . . . . 15 Biting Self . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Inappropriate Laughing . . . . . . . . . 16
Running Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Anger Choice Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Stealing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Picture Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Taking Shoes Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Tracking Multiple Behaviors . . . . . . . 51
Keeping Clothes On . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Leaving the Bathroom Naked. . . . . 21 Tracking Multiple Behaviors
Hands in Pants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Touching Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Initial Behavior Analysis. . . . . . . . . . 53
Touching Breasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Initial Behavior Analysis
Making Others Repeat. . . . . . . . . . 25 Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Obsessive Collecting . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Record of Progress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Making Noises. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Whining. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Record of Progress Example . . . . . . 56
Putting Things in My Mouth . . . . . . 29 Tracking Form for Lessons —
Licking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Individual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Tracking Form for Lessons —
Aggressive Behaviors Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Spitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Cursing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Overview of Lessons . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Throwing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 References and Resources . . . . . . . 63
Breaking Things. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Tearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Autism & PDD: Intermediate Social Skills Lessons 3 Copyright © 2002 LinguiSystems, Inc.
Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) © 1981-2002.
Reprinted with the permission of Mayer-Johnson, Inc., P.O. Box 1579,
Solana Beach, CA 92075-7579, 1-800-588-4548, www.mayer-johnson.com
before page 21
next page 13
party (fun) page 16
something page 15
when page 26
Introduction
A few years ago, we were working together to facilitate the inclusion of several children with autism
in elementary classrooms. Behavior problems often occurred due to breakdowns in communication.
Although the classrooms had been structured to aid inclusion, inappropriate behaviors repeatedly
interrupted both social and academic learning. Typical behaviors included climbing on desktops,
darting, squirting glue on tables, screaming, and having tantrums at breaks in routines.
We learned of Carol Gray’s success with stories describing social situations to teach children with
autism (The New Social Story Book, 1994). Based on those, we began writing shorter, one-page
lessons with each sentence supported by one or more pictures. Our lessons targeted typical needs
of preschool and early primary students.
As parents began to see how the lessons worked at school, they requested lessons concerning
behaviors at home and in the community. In addition, the lessons were used successfully with
children with other disabilities and with typically-developing children. Autism & PDD: Primary Social
Skills Lessons (1999) was the culmination of the work we did with teachers and families of these
students. This set of social skills lessons was followed by a set written for the needs of adolescents
(Autism & PDD: Adolescent Social Skills Lessons, 2001).
We then began to hear over and over from parents and professionals we met at schools and
conferences that we were leaving out a very important group of children: preteens. In an effort to
target the needs of this age group, we used the Internet to solicit problems and specific social topics
experienced by parents and professionals that needed to be taught to this age group. We had a
tremendous response and many of the social skills lessons in these books are a result of those
responses.
About the Books

The lessons are grouped into five separate books:
• Communication
• Controlling Behavior
• Healthy Habits
• Middle School
• Special Events & Activities
In each book, we have included two types of lessons: instructional and behavioral. The instructional
lessons are intended to teach preteens what they need to say or do in social situations that are
sometimes overwhelming (e.g., Expressing Sadness, page 12). The instructional lessons can be used
as part of a social skills curriculum with small groups. The behavioral lessons target specific social
problems that need to be stopped (e.g., Making Others Repeat, page 25).
The lessons are not intended to be used in the order presented, but chosen according to the needs
of a particular individual.
Introduction, continued
This book has two types of lessons. The lessons in Controlling Behavior about expressing feelings
can be used to instruct at any time. The lessons about inappropriate behavior should not be used
unless they address an existing problem. When overwhelmed with frustration or sensory stimulation,
students with autism sometimes exhibit aggressive behavior. Immediate intervention by a teacher,
parent, or caregiver is necessary when safety is the issue. The behavior lessons should be used after
the student has calmed down, NOT while a dangerous behavior is occurring. The Anger Choice Sheet
on page 49 can also be used as an instructional tool to teach appropriate responses to anger and
frustration.
Modifying the Lessons

No two people are the same! Although the lessons are ready for use as they appear in the books, it
will undoubtedly be necessary to make changes in some lessons to fit each preteen. For example:
• Use a photograph of the preteen in place of the generic preteen in the books.
• Edit text if necessary to make the lesson fit the individual situation.
• Fill in the blanks provided to individualize the lesson.
• Use pictures from the picture index at the back of each book, photographs, line drawings, or
computer-generated art to modify lessons as needed.
Using the Lessons

Identify the skill to be taught. No student will need every lesson. Search for the source of the
problem. Is it sensory? Is it a communication breakdown? Is the preteen sick? Some problems can
be solved by ignoring the behavior or changing something in the environment. Limit the number of
lessons presented at one time. Start with one or two. Wait until they are learned before introducing
more lessons.
Choose the appropriate lesson and change the story as needed. Make two copies. Place one copy
of the lesson in a notebook for the student. As skills are presented and learned, use the notebook
for reviewing lessons and for sharing the lessons with other teachers, parents, and caregivers.
Use the second copy for direct instruction as follows:
1. Identify the time and place the social situation occurs. The Tracking Multiple Behaviors form,
page 51, and/or the Initial Behavior Analysis form, page 53, will help you.
2. When you teach a new skill, the social lesson should immediately precede the targeted situation.
For example, before the preteen enters the bathroom, read Leaving the Bathroom Naked, page 21.
Introduction, continued
3. Present the lesson. Sit with the student one-on-one in a quiet area and read the lesson aloud.
Point to the pictures for emphasis. Read the lesson again. (You might also want to copy the
lesson onto a chart for group instruction at a later time.)
4. A common error is reading through the lesson too quickly. Allow adequate processing time.
Pause after reading each line. Wait and observe the student’s reaction before proceeding.
5. Give the student a copy of the lesson. Keeping a notebook of lessons presented allows the
student to review each lesson repeatedly and to refer to it when needed.
Document the lesson(s) taught using the Record of Progress, page 55, and/or the tracking forms
on pages 57-60. These records can serve as documentation for IEP objectives and behavioral
intervention.
Special Considerations
Pronouns can be difficult for some people with autism. We have used “I” extensively throughout the
books as a way to help teach the pronoun. If pronoun use prevents comprehension of the lesson,
substitute names in the text and/or use photographs in place of the “I” symbol.
Be sure to use words that the student is familiar with (e.g., gym vs. P.E.).
The lesson and pictures on one page may be overwhelming for some students. You can use a blank
sheet of paper to mask the rest of the lesson as you read each line. The lessons can also be used to
make a small book. Cut the lesson into sentence strips. Place each sentence with its accompanying
pictures in the center of a sheet of paper. Staple the pages together to make a book.
These lessons can be easily adapted to a student’s language and comprehension level. If necessary,
delete words to shorten sentences. Some students may also need fewer pictures per sentence.
We hope that you will find these social skills lessons as effective as we have.
Pam and Nena
Expressing Anxiety
All people feel anxious sometimes.
They may cry or yell or run away.
______________ makes me feel anxious.

(person/item/event*)
I need to tell someone when I feel anxious.
I will try to say “I am worried about ______________.”

It is okay. Someone will help me. *Indicate what makes the child anxious, such as another
child (person), my backpack (item), eating lunch (event).
Controlling Behavior – Expressing Feelings

Expressing Frustration
All people feel frustrated sometimes.
People feel frustrated when they can’t do what they want to do.
They may cry or frown or feel angry when they are frustrated.
I feel frustrated when ______________.

(frustrating circumstance)
It is okay to feel frustrated sometimes.
I will feel happy again.

Expressing Anger
______________ makes me feel angry.

(person/event*)
When I feel angry, I ______________.

(inappropriate activity)
This is not a good choice.
I can say “I am angry.”
I can ______________.
(appropriate activity**)
*Indicate what makes the child angry,

such as another student (person) or
losing a favorite book (event).
**Use the Anger Choice Sheet on
page 49 when teaching this lesson.
When I stop feeling angry, I can ______________.

(desired activity)

Expressing Sadness
______________ makes me feel sad.

It is okay to cry when I feel sad.
I can tell someone I feel sad.
I can say “I am sad because ______________.”

(sad event)
______________ may make me feel better.

(comforting activity)
It is okay. I will feel happy again. *Indicate what makes the child sad, such as a sick
grandparent (person), looking at photos of a deceased
family pet (item), or a friend moving away (event).
Expressing Disappointment
I feel disappointed when I ______________.

(disappointing event*)
When I feel disappointed, I need to make a good choice.
I can tell someone I feel disappointed.
I can say “I am disappointed because I ______________.”

(disappointing event*)
Maybe I can ______________ next time.

(desired event)
It is okay. I will feel happy again. *Indicate a disappointing event, such as

not getting to go somewhere (e.g., to the
zoo) or not getting something (e.g., an A on a test).
Seeking Attention with Inappropriate Actions
Sometimes I want people to look at me.
I ______________ to get them to look at me.

(inappropriate behavior)
Friends do not want to see me ______________.

I will try not to ______________.

Controlling Behavior – Special Problems

Inappropriate Drawings
Sometimes I like to draw ______________.

(inappropriate drawings*)
People don’t like to look at ______________.

Drawing ______________ embarrasses people.

It is okay to draw.
I will try to draw something else.

*Indicate inappropriate drawings (e.g., specific private body parts).
Inappropriate Laughing
Sometimes I laugh when people are not laughing.
This bothers people. It is not funny.
Sometimes people laugh and I laugh too.
This is okay.
It is fun to laugh together.
I will try to be quiet if it is not funny.

Running Away
Sometimes when I am with people I run away.
This is dangerous.
When I hear “Stop,” I wait.
I stand still.
This is important.
I will try not to run away from people.

Stealing
Sometimes I see things I want.
These things don’t belong to me.
If I take them, it is called “stealing.”
Stealing breaks a rule.
People who steal things get in trouble.
I will try not to take things that don’t belong to me.

Taking Shoes Off
Sometimes I take my shoes off at ______________.

(place)
Shoes protect my feet.
I might step on something sharp and hurt my foot.
I can take my shoes off at home.
I will try to leave my shoes on.

Keeping Clothes On
Sometimes I take off my ______________ at ______________.

(clothing item) (place)
It is not time to take off my ______________.

(clothing item)
I take off my ______________ at home.

(clothing item)
Sometimes I take off my ______________ in a dressing room.

(clothing item)
I will try not to take off my ______________ at ______________.

(clothing item) (place)

Leaving the Bathroom Naked
When I take a bath or shower, I am naked.
Naked means I don’t have any clothes on.
Sometimes I leave the bathroom when I am naked.
This is not a good choice. Being naked is private.
People always wear clothes in public.
I will try to put on my clothes before I leave the bathroom.

Hands in Pants
Sometimes I put my hands inside my pants.
It is okay to put my hands in my pockets.
I can fold my arms.
I can ______________.
(appropriate behavior)
I will try to keep my hands out of my pants.

Touching Others
Sometimes I touch people on the ______________.

(body part)
This is not a good choice. People do not like it.
Sometimes I can give a hug. That’s okay.
I may touch an arm. That’s okay.
Sometimes I can pat a back. That’s okay.
I will not touch ______________.

(body part)

Touching Breasts
Sometimes I touch women’s breasts.
Women don’t like it.
It makes them angry.
Women’s breasts are a private body part.
I can touch people on the arm, back, or hand.
I will try not to touch women’s breasts.

Making Others Repeat
Sometimes I say “______________.”

(favorite saying)
I want ______________ to say it.

(person)
People don’t want to say my words. This is called “repeating.”
People choose their own words.
I will try not to make people repeat my words.

Obsessive Collecting
I like to collect ______________.

(items)
I pick up every ______________ that I see.

(item)
I can’t make friends if I collect things all the time.
____________ can help me decide when to collect ____________.

(person) (items)
I will try not to collect ______________ all the time.

(items)

Making Noises
Sometimes I make a noise with my mouth.
It sounds like ______________.

(noise*)
People don’t like that noise.
The noise bothers them.
I will try to keep my mouth quiet.
I can make the noise ______________.

(time/place allowed)
*Substitute any noise specific to the child.

Whining
Sometimes when I am mad, I whine.
It sounds like this. (Imitate whine.)
It bothers people.
I will try to talk with no whining.
I can say “I am mad” with no whining.

Putting Things in My Mouth
I like to put ______________ in my mouth.

(inappropriate item)
It might make me sick.
I can put food, drinks, or ice in my mouth.
I can ____________ when I feel like putting something in my mouth.

(appropriate behavior)
I will try not to put ______________ in my mouth.


Licking
Sometimes I lick ______________.

It might make me sick.
People don’t like it when I lick ______________.

It is okay to lick some foods, like ice-cream cones.
I will try not to lick ______________.


Spitting
It is not a good choice to spit my saliva.
Spitting is not healthy.
People do not like spitting.
Saliva stays in my mouth.
I swallow my saliva.
I do not spit my saliva.
Controlling Behavior – Aggressive Behaviors

Cursing
Sometimes I feel mad and I say bad words.
This is called “cursing.” ______________ is a curse word.

(inappropriate word)
Cursing is not a good choice.
I will try not to curse.
I will try to ______________ when I am angry.

(appropriate behavior*)
This is a good choice.

*Use the Anger Choice Sheet on page 49 when teaching this lesson.
Controlling Behavior – Aggressive Behaviors


Controlling Behavior: Pam Britton Reese Nena C. Challenner

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Controlling Behavior: Pam Britton Reese Nena C. Challenner

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Controlling Behavior

Pam Britton Reese

Skill Areas: Social Skills/Language

Copyright © 2002 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Pam Britton Reese, M.A., CCC-SLP, owns a private practice,

Nena C. Challenner, M.Ed., is an assistant principal at Long-

Illustrations by Eulala Conner

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Throwing Food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

About the Books

Modifying the Lessons

• Fill in the blanks provided to individualize the lesson.

Using the Lessons

Use the second copy for direct instruction as follows:

Pam and Nena

All people feel anxious sometimes.

They may cry or yell or run away.

______________ makes me feel anxious.

I need to tell someone when I feel anxious.

I will try to say “I am worried about ______________.”

Controlling Behavior – Expressing Feelings

All people feel frustrated sometimes.

I feel frustrated when ______________.

It is okay to feel frustrated sometimes.

I will feel happy again.

Controlling Behavior – Expressing Feelings

______________ makes me feel angry.

When I feel angry, I ______________.

This is not a good choice.

I can say “I am angry.”

*Indicate what makes the child angry,

When I stop feeling angry, I can ______________.

Controlling Behavior – Expressing Feelings

______________ makes me feel sad.

It is okay to cry when I feel sad.

I can tell someone I feel sad.

I can say “I am sad because ______________.”

______________ may make me feel better.

I feel disappointed when I ______________.

When I feel disappointed, I need to make a good choice.

I can tell someone I feel disappointed.

I can say “I am disappointed because I ______________.”

Maybe I can ______________ next time.

It is okay. I will feel happy again. *Indicate a disappointing event, such as

Sometimes I want people to look at me.

I ______________ to get them to look at me.

This is not a good choice.

Friends do not want to see me ______________.

I will try not to ______________.

Controlling Behavior – Special Problems

Sometimes I like to draw ______________.

People don’t like to look at ______________.

This is not a good choice.

Drawing ______________ embarrasses people.

I will try to draw something else.

Sometimes I laugh when people are not laughing.

This bothers people. It is not funny.

Sometimes people laugh and I laugh too.

It is fun to laugh together.

I will try to be quiet if it is not funny.

Controlling Behavior – Special Problems

Sometimes when I am with people I run away.

When I hear “Stop,” I wait.

I will try not to run away from people.

Sometimes I take off my at .

I will try not to take off my at .

can help me decide when to collect .