Have you ever had a client exhibit behaviors that you just don’t know how to approach? Dr. Jonathan Fernand has had experiences in the field across many settings that aid in his understanding on intervening with restrictive and repetitive behaviors.

Restrictive and repetitive behaviors can mean a variety of behaviors, from high order (compulsive and ritualistic) to low order (self injurious and vocal/motor stereotypy). But when do these behaviors warrant intervention?

Dr. Fernand reminds us that while every decision is contextual and depends solely on the individual, there are factors that contribute to deciding on the intervention process. Consider safety, health and wellness, community, and other lifespan barriers as indicators for intervention. Prioritize the need for intervention and differing methods with changes in skills and interests. It’s also important to note that not all restrictive and repetitive behaviors need to be at zero levels if they can be enjoyed appropriately.

This conversation is great for SLPs, who are often in situations where they feel like they are calling in the BCBA when things have gone too far wrong and can maybe do more to intervene preventatively. Dr. Fernand, like me, is an advocate for lifelong learning. He urges professionals to access a network of resources and lean on colleagues and mentors to learn and grow. 

 #autism #speectherapy

What’s Inside:

• What are Restrictive and Repetitive Behaviors?
• What does it mean for behavior to become a barrier to behavior?
• What behaviors warrant intervention?
• What are high and low order behaviors?
• Prioritizing and revisiting the best intervention process.
• Making contextual decisions for every client and behavior.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Dr. Jonathan Fernand on LinkedIn
Jonathan K. Fernand Florida Institute of Technology · School of Behavior Analysis
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