Interval Testing Assessing Problematic Behavior Assessing Problematic

Interval Testing

Assessing Problematic Behavior

Assessing problematic behavior in children requires a careful assessment design. Relying solely on subjective measurements is likely to skew the "results" to reflect the pre-observation biases or beliefs of the observer. This statement is not meant to imply that observers are in any way dishonest or lacking in integrity. Rather, because children who are exhibiting problematic behaviors are likely to exhibit a number of behaviors in a short period of time and may well exhibit more than one behavior at a time. Without a clearly established method for identifying and calculating the presence of these behaviors, it is nearly impossible to create an accurate record of the behaviors given the overwhelming wealth of data that will be presented to the observer in the course of even of short and seemingly simple and straightforward observation.

The subject at hand, Kaya, has demonstrated a number of problematic behaviors that are interfering with her ability to take advantage of the educational opportunities that are being offered to her. Thus as an educational counselor I would create and institute interventions to help her bring her behavior more in line of a child who can benefit to a maximum degree from her school experience. It is important when attempting to shift problematic behavior not to try to change all problematic behaviors at once because to attempt to do so will overwhelm the child (Cale et al., 2009).

In creating an intervention for Kaya, then, I would address only one type of behavior at a time, choosing to attempt to curb aggressive off-task behavior first for two reasons. The first of these is that it is the most common behavior; it is also likely to be the most disruptive. The intervention would consist of diverting Kaya as soon as she begins to be aggressive by providing an acceptable target of aggression. She will be offered a stack of newspapers to tear up whenever she feels the need to act out aggressively. Ideally, it would be better for her opportunities as a student to be able to react in a way that does not include any aggression, but this will be a later step of intervention.