Hi Reader!

Ever have one of those days where you feel more like a detective than a teacher? 🕵️‍♀️

We’ve all been there—trying to figure out why a student is suddenly eloping or why a usually calm afternoon turned into a series of "mystery" behaviors. When we’re in the thick of it, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But the secret to shifting from "extinguishing fires" to "teaching skills" lies in one thing: the function.

I’ve been reflecting on a 5-Step System that has been a total game-changer in my classroom, and I wanted to share the highlights with you to help make your week a little smoother.

My "Big Three" Tips for Behavioral Success:

1. Dig for the "Why": Before jumping to a consequence, try a quick assessment like the Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS). It helps determine if the behavior is fueled by sensory needs, escape, attention, or tangibles.
2. The "Instead" Factor: We can’t just tell a student what not to do. We have to give them a functionally equivalent replacement behavior. If they elope to escape work, we teach them the "break" card.
3. The Power of Priming: A little bit of proactive strategy goes a long way. Use visual or verbal cues before the challenging transition happens to remind the student of their replacement behavior.

Low-Prep Tools to Help

If you’re looking to save some time on the "paperwork" side of things, I’ve put together a set of Cheat Sheets and Implementation Plans.

It includes A-B-C checklists and scatterplots that make data collection way less daunting, plus quick-reference guides for 25 different behaviors. It’s the exact system I use to move from "I don’t know why this is happening" to "I have a plan that works."

Learn more about how I tackle problem behaviors and teach skills in my blog post:

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How is your week going so far? Hit reply and let me know the biggest "mystery" behavior you're tackling right now—I’d love to help you brainstorm!

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Until next time!

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