This is a 30-day Challenge that will help your behaviorally challenged child.
Challenging Behavior Requires Real Solutions
Why do we cringe when we hear the words Routines and Schedules, and why are they so hard to keep?
CHANGE and Behavior Challenges
Insert the word CHANGE, which challenges the brain’s sense of stability. If the brain decides the change is a threat, it will resist or avoid it. That’s why our brain starts seeing a flashing red light that screams change! Our brains quickly decide to fight through the uncertainty, freeze and stay stuck in the same circumstance, or flee and deny that anything different needs to be done.
Routine and Structure
Routine and structure are important for all of us but particularly important for students struggling with school or learning. For example, studies show kids do better with predictability and routine, and based on my clinical experience, these two things are some of the hardest to implement in a home and even school.
How to Deal With Challenging Behaviors (You CAN do Hard Things)
Attention parents, YOU can do hard things!
If this is something that you want to do but don’t know where to start, I recommend baby-stepping your way toward your goal. Start with just one of the following four areas: Morning, Bedtime, Exercise, Nutrition, and take a 30-day challenge.
Example of the 30-Day Challenge
That means committing to doing the same thing, in one of these areas, for 30 days and giving yourself a reward when you finish. For example, The morning routine: Wake up the house using upbeat music to get everyone going. An easy way to set this up is using a device like Alexa to play the music simultaneously every morning. Add visual reminders for your kids and review what is expected of them in the mornings before school (brush your teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast before using any electronics).
You can set up a schedule and use music to signal any transitions you expect your child to make. There is greater compliance if everyone knows exactly what to expect. So don’t just assume your kids know what to do. Have a dress rehearsal the night before you start your 30-day challenge.
Good Habits Take Hold
You will be surprised at the end of those 30 days how the initial routine will start a chain reaction that helps other good habits take hold. Make sure that everyone gets a reward before moving forward with another area.
Why Kids Exhibit Challenging Behaviors
Kids are sensitive to the feelings and anxieties of the adults around them. The new research demonstrates that acute, uncontrollable stress sets off a series of chemical events that weaken the influence of the prefrontal cortex (the area of the brain responsible for executive function skills). Structure and routine add peace to homes and offer students security and predictability for learning or behaviorally challenged.
Address Behavior Challenges Head On
Think you’re alone? Think again. I hope you have a huge deck of qualified professionals, friends, and family who are helping you navigate any and every season of parenting. But often, if your child has extra needs like ADHD, ODD, and more, you need some extra help too. That’s where I come in. You can Book a FREE 10 minute evaluation with me, just to explore your options. Check it out here.