Strategies used to modify the behaviors of children with intellectual disability

Pages: 753-756
Dhananjay V. Deshmukh (Department of Education, Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, Delhi)

We Categorize disabilities in different way, like Sensory Disabilities (VI, HI, Deaf-Blind), Neuro Developmental Disabilities (LD, MR (ID), ASD), and Loco motor & Multiple Disabilities (CP, MD). Children with Intellectual disability have more behavior problems due to limited cognitive abilities. These behaviors are not an age appropriate, socially not accepted, and which has adverse affect on learning experiences of children, e.g. rebellious behavior, odd behaviors, self injurious and other injurious, hyper active behavior, anti- social behavior, and some others. Because of maladaptive behaviors children with disabilities are not able to cope with their social life, emotional life, personal life and educational environment. To help out them from these problems we do Behavior Modification Programme which includes some strategies like Cognitive Behavior Modification, Meta Cognition, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Aversive Techniques, Assertive behavior, ABC and Applied Behavior Analysis. Some other techniques also used for Behavior Modification like Positive and negative Reinforcement, time out, token economy, differential reinforcements, physical restraints, and other. If maladaptive behaviors are reduced, the children with disabilities able to perform activities at their potential level which is needed to live independently in their environment.