When Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Understanding the Challenging Behaviors of Young Children and Students with Disabilities

This resource provides information and tools for teachers and others on how to support children whose primary way to communicate is through challenging behaviors, including young children and those with disabilities. The authors build an understanding of what behaviors children use to communicate, what kinds of messages they may be sending, and how adults can ask six critical questions to better understand and meet children s needs. As experts in autism and speech pathology, the authors explain, in accessible language, the effects of central nervous system disabilities and hidden issues on a child s behavior and ability to communicate. They then show how to create an improved learning environment and offer proactive behavior and instructional strategies to support more acceptable behavioral alternatives. Throughout the book, stories provide enlightening, sometimes humorous examples of how children use behavior to communicate. Engaging exercises and end-of-chapter questions can be used by individuals or teams to examine and improve their current practice.