Once Devin’s mother realized that he was getting angry at dinner because he did not have time to finish his favorite TV show, she was able to help her son. First, she helped him by changing the time of dinner. This kind of solution may not always be possible. So, Devin’s mother also knew that she needed to help Devin learn to speak up before he got angry and also to express his anger. She taught him to use simple words to say what he needed such as “want more tv” or “can I finish”. When she saw that he was having trouble going from one activity to another, she asked him “Do you want a few minutes to finish up?” She gave him the extra time he asked. Lastly, she was careful to praise him for using his words instead of getting angry.
Devin’s mother looked for and found the reason for her son’s challenging behavior. She then helped him by changing the situation, teaching him a new skill, and giving him positive feedback.