Q38: Childhood Aggression, Part II - School

https://pixabay.com/photos/fist-bump-boy-outside-fist-gesture-933916/

"What If My Child is Aggressive at School but Not at Home?
Since I hear this question a lot from parents, I wrote this blog to help you to determine the cause(s) for your child's aggression at school. If the aggression is only occurring at school, then your child has some control over their emotional outbursts. The key to determining the catalyst behind your child's aggression at school, is to find out the events that leads up to the aggression. Or, what precedes the aggression? Is the aggression due to their academic courses being too difficult? How about being teased or bullied? Problems at home? Childhood aggression in school is challenging for both parents and educators; however, understanding the underlying cause(s) and taking steps to manage and reduce it is key to dealing with it at school. Feel confident because you can get to the bottom of why it is happening at school, and work with your child's teacher(s) to determine solutions.

Managing Aggressive Behavior at School
Let's discuss how you can manage it at school. One of the easiest ways to do this is to communicate with your child and school personnel. This may sound cliche; however, many parents are not asking their children about their feelings, experiences, and what may be triggering their aggression. Do this while encouraging open and honest communication with your child. This helps to ensure that they feel safe when opening up to you about their aggression. Make them consistently feel heard. Help them understand that they are loved. Give them that stability. Be a presence in the school and stay in contact with your child's teacher(s). Attend school open houses and parent-teacher conferences to learn from your child's teacher(s) about their academic status and behavioral concerns. Many parents are NOT attending these events! I started being an active school parent when my children were in preschool and you must do this as well. Besides, your children will remember and appreciate the support.

Next, I want you to observe their behaviors closely while paying attention to patterns and triggers for their aggression. Help your child to identify and process their emotions by recognizing and labeling their feelings. Encourage them to express themselves in appropriate ways and assist them with strategies to manage their anger and frustration, such as deep breathing exercises, counting to ten, or taking a break. If none of this helps to reduce their level of aggressive behaviors, then consult with your child's teacher(s) and school psychologist to help you assess the underlying causes and provide guidance. Work closely with your child's teacher(s) and school psychologist to address aggression in a coordinated way. Collaborative efforts between home and school are often effective. If your child's aggression is related to a specific disability or condition, consider working with the school to consider developing an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that addresses their needs and provides appropriate support.

If you are need of a more structured approach to address and modify challenging and disruptive behaviors, you can request and approve a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) and Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA) from the school psychologist.  A BIP is a structured approach used in various settings, such as schools, homes, or clinical settings, to address and modify challenging or disruptive behaviors in individuals. BIPs are typically developed for individuals who exhibit persistent and problematic behaviors that interfere with their daily functioning and well-being. These plans are often used for children with behavioral disorders, developmental disabilities, or individuals with emotional or social challenges. Here's an overview of what a BIP entails:

• Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA): Before creating a BIP, it's essential to conduct a thorough assessment of the individual's behavior. The FBA is a systematic process that helps identify the underlying causes and triggers of the challenging behavior. It involves gathering information through observation, interviews, and data analysis to understand when, where, and why the behavior occurs.
• Set Clear Behavioral Goals: The next step is to define specific, measurable, and realistic behavioral goals. These goals should describe the desired behaviors that will replace the problematic ones. Goals should be individualized to the person's needs and circumstances.
• Identify Interventions: Based on the FBA and the established goals, interventions are developed to address the challenging behavior. These interventions should be evidence-based and tailored to the individual's unique needs. Common strategies include:
• Positive Behavior Support: Encouraging and reinforcing positive behaviors while reducing or eliminating negative behaviors.
• Teaching Alternative Skills: Teaching the individual alternative ways to meet their needs or express themselves without resorting to problem behavior.
• Environmental Modifications: Making changes to the person's environment to reduce triggers or stressors that contribute to the challenging behavior.
• Functional Communication Training: Teaching the individual effective ways to communicate their needs or frustrations rather than using disruptive behavior.
• Implementation: The interventions are put into action consistently and systematically. This may involve collaboration between family members, teachers, caregivers, and professionals to ensure that everyone is on the same page and consistently applying the strategies.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Throughout the implementation of the BIP, data is collected to monitor progress. This data helps assess whether the interventions are effective in reducing the challenging behavior and achieving the established goals. Adjustments to the plan may be made based on the data and ongoing assessment.
• Review and Revision: Behavior Intervention Plans are not static documents. They should be regularly reviewed and revised as necessary to reflect changes in the individual's behavior and progress toward goals. What works for one person at one time may need adjustment over time.
• Team Collaboration: Collaboration among all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, therapists, and support staff, is crucial for the success of a BIP. Open communication ensures that everyone is working together to support the individual's needs and goals.

 
A well-designed BIP is a proactive and positive approach to addressing challenging behaviors. It emphasizes understanding the reasons behind the behavior and teaching alternative, more appropriate ways of responding to situations. BIPs should be individualized and flexible, with the ultimate goal of improving the individual's overall quality of life and social functioning. Regularly assess your child's progress in managing their aggression. Adjust strategies and interventions as needed.

Rewards and Consequences
Make sure that you acknowledge and reward your child's positive actions and efforts to control their aggression. Positive reinforcement can motivate better behavior. On the other hand, clearly communicate consequences for aggressive behavior, and be consistent in applying them. The consequences should be reasonable and related to the behavior. Addressing childhood aggression may require time and patience. Be supportive, understanding, and willing to adapt your approach as you work to help your child develop more appropriate behaviors and emotional regulation skills. 

Therapy for Childhood Aggression
Therapy can be an effective intervention to address the underlying causes and provide strategies for managing and reducing aggressive behavior. Each child is unique, so therapy should be tailored to their specific needs and circumstances. Therapy options that I typically recommend to help parents with childhood aggression starts with Behavior Therapy, as well as the other options outlined below:

• Behavioral Therapy:
  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): ABA is a structured therapy that focuses on identifying and changing specific behaviors. It can be highly effective in teaching children new behaviors and reducing aggression. ABA was originally designed for children with autism; however, it is now being used to address behavioral concerns in children as well, and it works.
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps children identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. It can be used to address underlying emotional issues that contribute to aggression.
• Play Therapy:
  • Play therapy allows children to express their feelings and thoughts through play, art, and other creative activities. It can help children explore and understand their emotions and develop healthier ways of coping with them.
• Social Skills Training:
  • Social skills training helps children develop appropriate social behaviors and interactions. It can be particularly useful for children who struggle with social situations, leading to frustration and aggression.
• Anger Management Therapy:
  • Anger management therapy teaches children how to recognize the signs of anger, understand its triggers, and use techniques to control and express anger in a healthier way.
• Family Therapy:
  • ​Family therapy involves the child and their family members. It can help identify family dynamics that contribute to the child's aggression and work toward more effective communication and problem-solving.
• School-Based Counseling:
  • Many schools offer counseling services provided by school psychologists or counselors. These professionals can work with the child within the school environment to address aggression and its impact on education.
• Group Therapy:
  • Group therapy allows children to interact with peers who may be experiencing similar challenges. It provides opportunities to practice social skills and learn from others.
• Behavioral Interventions:
  • ​Behavioral interventions are often implemented in school settings to reinforce positive behavior and provide consequences for aggression. Collaborate with the school to ensure consistency in behavior management strategies.