Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome: The Respond But Don't React Method

A child does not want to leave the toy store, so he stops and flops. Another bolts across a busy parking lot, turns and smiles at his mom. An eighteen-year-old student bursts into tears when asked to change activities at school. Sound familiar? These and other common behaviour issues in children with Down syndrome can quickly become engrained and may even persist into adulthood. No parent wants that to happen, and thankfully, help is available! Dr David Stein, a psychologist and Co-Director of the Down Syndrome Program at Boston Childrens Hospital, shares his approach to behaviour management in this new book for parents. The book examines how the brain of a person with Down syndrome works, how those differences impact behaviour, and why bad behaviour should not be viewed as a wilful act. Governed by this new awareness, parents are in a better position to change and manage their childs behaviour using these guiding principles: Be proactive, not reactive. Be consistent. Use visual schedules and Social Stories to direct behaviour. Develop a token reward chart. Keep gut reactions in check. Teach siblings to ignore bad behaviour. Learn effective disciplinary techniques.Know when professional help is needed. Some of these parenting concepts are intuitive, others are not, but when they are followed consistently, children and teens with Down syndrome do their best behaviourally and the parent-child relationship remains as positive and loving as it should be.

Dr. David Stein is a pediatric psychologist and Co-Director of the Down Syndrome Program at Boston Children's Hospital. An Instructor at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Stein specializes in behavior therapy and neuropsycho-logical testing of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Dr. Stein speaks nationally and internationally about Down syndrome and behavior management.

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