2. Children with special needs are exactly that.
Special. They learn and perceive the world in
different ways than an “average” child.

3. A teaching style used one day, may not work
the next day.
Creativity and Positive Techniques will help
teach new skills and behaviors, as well as
assist in establishing a positive relationship
with your consumer.

4. Try one of the following techniques with your
consumer, and see if you notice the difference.

5. • A technique stating what feelings are being
expressed, repeating and/or paraphrasing
what was said.
• Asking questions to obtain facts, and/or
simply paying attention and acknowledging
the person.

6. • When a child is exhibiting poor behavior, try
to understand why they are upset before
reacting.
• Repeat back to them “You’re upset that the
TV was turned off?”
• Acknowledge their feelings.
• Ask questions “Why does this make you
upset? Do you need more time to finish your
show next time?”

7. A technique that breaks a task into smaller
steps where each step acts as a prompt for the
next step.

8. To teach a skill, like getting ready for school.
Break it up into smaller tasks.
• Wake up
• Use restroom
• Wash Hands
• Brush Teeth
• Get Dressed
• Eat Breakfast
• Get backpack ready
Once first task is mastered, add on the second one. Once
mastered, add on third, etc.
Chaining will take time, but it can be very effective.

9. Signals to engage in behavior
The signal provided by caregivers can include:
• Gestures
• Visual Cues
• Verbal Cues
• Verbal Instructions
• Auditory Cues
• Physical Guidance
• Tactile Cues

10. Instead of having to repeat “lower your voice”,
try having an established gesture, that means
“lower your volume”.

11. Planned reinforcement of specific desirable
behaviors, while not reinforcing other
behaviors.

12. Giving planned reinforcement for positive
behaviors
– Giving a high five for helping put dishes away
Minimizing reinforcement for undesired
behaviors
– Don’t give reactions to undesired behaviors, it
supports the idea that they’ll get attention for
doing those things

13. Teaching a person to behave differently based
upon the situation and environment.
Vs

14. Taking the child to the library and a park and
showing them how to behave appropriately in
each setting.
• It’s ok to run and play at the park
• At the library, we need to whisper and walk
slower than at the park

15. Creating environments that will make it more
likely that the person will succeed.

16. A messy environment can make it hard to
concentrate, learn, or have a calm demeanor.
Try to avoid:
• Clutter
• Loud noises
• Other people
• Pets
• Electronics
• Not enough space

17. Gradually reducing or withdrawing the amount
of assistance given to an individual

18. Start with complete assistance, and gradually
give less and less.
• Complete assistance- Tying their shoes
• Verbal instructions- Telling them how to tie
• Verbal cues- Giving clues “Bunny Ears”
• Gestures-
• Reminders- “Don’t forget to pull tight”
• Independence!- GREAT JOB!

19. • A series of strategies to teach the person to
display the behavior in all circumstances or
situations where the behavior would
normally or naturally occur.

20. At home, we wash our hands before we eat,
before we prepare a meal, after the restroom,
and whenever they are dirty.
We teach this principle at home. When we go
out to a restaurant, the same principles apply.
We still need to wash our hands before we eat.
The same principle can be used in more than
one situation.

21. A technique that starts with the guidance
necessary to support or assist the person in
completing a task and gradually provides less
assistance as the person demonstrates greater
competence.
Assistance
Independence

22. A child has demonstrated that they can wash
their own hair in the bath.
If they get in the bath, and forget what to do
with the shampoo bottle, instead of doing it for
them, help them along until they remember
how to do it themselves. This could include
hand-over-hand, verbal cues, or gestures.

23. Applying these positive teaching techniques:
Active Listening
Chaining
Cues/Prompts
Differential Reinforcement
Discrimination Training
Environmental Manipulation
Fading of Cues/Prompts
Generalization Training
Graduated Guidance
Will help create a positive learning
environment for both you and your consumer.