Behavioral Strategy Plan

In order to target Mohammed's challenging behaviors, I implemented a mix of strategies, the first one will be a behavior contract, the second part will be a self-monitoring system or a check in check out system with a mentor piece and the last will be homenotes in order to improve motivation.

Behavior Contract:   It is important for me to make sure Mohammed does understand and is ready to follow and take responsibility for the classroom expectations. Contracting is effective because there is an agreement and an exchange of a reward or reinforcement for the specific behavior.  One of the main components of the contract and the one that I plan working along with Mohammed the most are the reinforcers. This part can be the one where he takes the lead and satisfies that need for attention he is seeking with his behavior.

Self-Monitoring or Check-in/Check-out System Plus Mentor:  Mohammed and I can have very friendly interactions outside the classroom, but during class he switches and becomes very defiant, mostly to gain attention from his peers.  I started a check in check out system with Mohammed where teachers have to give him a 0, 1 or 2 for each class for specific behaviors. The two objectives for Mohammed are:  “Mohammed will be ready to start class, with materials and giving the teacher five (Ears, eyes, mouth closed, hands and feet to himself, body turned towards the board), and "Mohammed will be engaged and on task during class with no more than two redirects." 

Mohammed and I will use the data collected for the day to determine whether or not he deserves the positive reinforcers that we come up with during the behavior contract depending on how many points he collected. I want to see Mohammed before and afterschool in order to build a strong relationship with him. Also, I would like to give him the attention he is seeking outside the structured setting. Finally, I would like to look for patterns on the data to make further decisions.

Homenotes:   I believe that a good communication system between home and school is necessary and can be used as a data collector as well as a positive and specific reinforcer. I believe Mohammed will like this and will work hard towards getting good phone calls home, or pressing the “send” button on an email to his mother. 

The fusion of these strategies will help Mohammed understand the classroom and school expectations through preteaching, modeling and repetition (contract) as well as self tracking and monitoring (check-in/check-out) and seeing a pattern of school-home continuity throughout the day (Homenotes).