Resources to Support Challenging Child Behavior

The Watson Institute has received a number of questions from parents looking for resources to help them manage their child’s behavior in various public settings. Community activities such as going to church, visiting the library, going out to eat, and going to a doctor’s appointment have been our most requested topics.

Families are seeking help with preventing behavioral meltdowns while in these public settings.

My child has a very difficult time going to family-style restaurants. In particular, he has difficulty sitting and waiting quietly, eating neatly, and interacting with the waiter or waitress. How can I help my child learn to be more appropriate in this setting?

I often hear about children having a limited number of foods they will eat. My son is starting to have some problems during meals. Are there some things I can do before I start having eating issues?

I am a Life Skills teacher and have a 2nd grade student with autism who will often blow out “boogies” without getting a tissue. He will do this several times a day and it often soils the table or other classroom items. Do you have any ideas of how to stop this somewhat gross behavior? He does have the ability to get a tissue and blow his nose as we have taught the behavior and he has demonstrated that he can do it with both a verbal or picture prompt on occasion.

I have a new student who will not sit in his assigned cafeteria seat. He wanders away and I’m afraid he may leave the cafeteria. What can I do to make him stay where he should and avoid a melt-down.

There’s a student in my class who has difficulty whenever I have to deny or postpone one of his requests – like waiting to use the computer, or wanting to read the newest book in our classroom library. How can I help him understand that he’ll get the chance to do what he wants, but that he’ll need to wait awhile before he gets his wish?

I have a bright student in my math class. She knows much of the work and when we start the workbook pages she wants to keep working ahead. If I make her wait or stop her from continuing the back side she will tantrum. What can I do to make her follow along with the class?

Sometimes I’m not sure if one of my students is paying attention. What can I do to ensure they are following the topic of the lecture?

I have a student who uses a communication book. At times he will just point to an item on the snack table instead of using his book in response to a question. Sometimes he will indicate yes or no with a headshake instead of using his book. We keep prompting but then he becomes frustrated and displays other behaviors such as throwing materials or yelling. How can we increase his communication book usage?

I have some students who have a difficult time attending during longer teacher/student discussions. They are playing with items in their desks, talking to other students, doodling, or looking around. What can I do to help them focus longer on the topic at hand?