Task Avoidance

 No, I don't want to!

Some children will deliberately do certain behaviors to avoid having to do things that are asked of them. They may scream, throw tantrums, become violent, become unresponsive or run away. If it is found that the purpose of your child's behavior, is to get him out of doing a non-preferred task, that non-preferred task needs to be completed. You may offer your child incentives to do the thing they are avoiding. Behavior bucks, which are featured on the left of the screen, are a very effective way to encourage your child to make the right choices.

Example: Johnny yells at his dad when his dad tells him to eat his green beans, usually dad will send him to his room and the hated green beans do not have to be eaten. Instead of reinforcing the yelling, remind him that a quiet voice needs to be used and that he will not be allowed to leave the table until the green beans are eaten. Its okay to leave him at the table after everyone else is done eating. Make a big deal of the fun things you get to do after you eat your green beans and say how you wish Johnny would make the good choice of eating his green beans so he can join the family. When he finally chooses to eat, tell him how happy you are that he can join you and how proud of him you are.

Once you have a behavioral plan set up at home, both parents need to follow it and you should let your child's teacher know how you handle different situations so when they occur at school they can be handled in the same manner. The consistency will help your child learn how to make the right choices faster. Some of these behavior suggestions might sound cold or uncaring, but it does your child more harm to not discipline them and not teach them how to make good choices. They already have a disadvantage socially, you need to help them understand how to behave so other children will be able to play with them and enjoy their company.