Jackson is a second-grade student who is consistently sent to the nurse's office for an upset stomach. Jackson's teacher reports that he often complains of a stomach ache right before math class and asks to go to the nurse when the class begins working on their homework for the day. Identify and explain the most likely function of Jackson's behavior. What positive behavior supports could be put in place to reduce the number of times Jackson leaves his class during math?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Student answers will vary but may involve the following types of answers: The most likely function of Jackson's behavior is task avoidance. Each time Jackson realizes he must complete his math homework, he reports a stomach ache and asks to go to the nurse's office. Jackson's behavior has been reinforced by his teacher because, by allowing Jackson to leave the classroom when he reports a stomach ache, he has been able to avoid his math work and escape his math class all together. There are several positive behavior supports that could be put in place to reduce the number of times Jackson asks to leave the classroom during math. Jackson could be provided with short, consistent breaks during math class. If the function of his class-leaving behavior is to avoid or escape his math work, these short breaks will allow him to escape momentarily while still ensuring that he is in the classroom learning with his same-aged peers. Jackson should also be reinforced for every day that he does not ask to leave the class during math. These positive behavior supports are increasing the number of days that Jackson remains in his math class, providing him the same occasional escape function as his class-leaving behavior, and reducing the number of times Jackson ultimately leaves his classroom during math.