Module 6: Lesson 2 – Readings

BCBA: Good morning, Mrs. Johnson. Thank you for meeting with me today. My name is Susan, and I’m a BCBA. I understand that you’re seeking support for Mikey’s hitting behavior. Could you please provide me with some specific details about when this behavior occurs?

Mother: Hi, Susan. Thanks for meeting with me. So, Mikey tends to hit when we ask him to do stuff he doesn’t like, you know? Like when we tell him to clean his room, do his homework, or turn off his video games. It’s like he gets frustrated and just starts hitting things or sometimes even people.

BCBA: I appreciate you sharing that information, Mrs. Johnson. Could you describe exactly what Mikey does when you say he hits? Thinking of a recent occasion, what happened immediately before and afterward?

Mother: Well, when Mikey hits, he usually uses his hands to hit things, you know what I mean? He’ll strike out and make contact with objects or sometimes even with other people. It’s his way of showing that he’s frustrated and trying to get out of doing those things. Sometimes he pushes stuff away or runs off to another room to avoid it all.

BCBA: I see. It’s important for us to have a clear understanding of what the behavior looks like to develop effective strategies. Now, when did the hitting first start to be a problem and when is the hitting behavior most likely to occur? In which situations does it happen more often, and when does it rarely happen?

Mother: Yeah, he’s always done it – since he was a toddler. But he’s getting older now so it’s much more difficult to deal with. The hitting happens more often when there’s something he doesn’t want to do, you know? Like when we ask him to clean up his room or do his homework, it sets him off. It’s like he feels overwhelmed, and hitting becomes his way to show that and avoid those tasks.

BCBA: Thank you for sharing that, Mrs. Johnson. How do you and other family members usually respond when Mikey starts hitting? What happens to the activity or request afterward?

Mother: Oh, it’s a mixed bag, to be honest. Some days, we get really worried and try to calm him down or get him out of the situation. Other times, probably most of the time, we just let him avoid the task altogether, you know? We’re not always consistent in how we handle it, and I wonder if that affects it.

BCBA: Thank you. This helps us understand what happens, rather than assign blame. We will compare this information with observations. Lastly, is there any additional information you can provide about Mikey’s health, sleep patterns, or specific times and locations where the hitting behavior is most likely to occur? Are there any changes in routine or environmental factors you’ve noticed?

Mother: Mikey doesn’t have any specific health issues, but he does struggle with sleep sometimes. He’s a bit of a night owl and has trouble settling down at bedtime. I think he’s more likely to find stuff demanding when he’s not had good sleep. As for the hitting, like I said, it tends to happen at home when there are demanding tasks or when we ask him to switch from one activity to another.

BCBA: Thank you for sharing those details, Mrs. Johnson. Understanding Mikey’s sleep patterns and the specific contexts where hitting occurs will help us in our analysis. We also want to understand Mikey’s perspective, preferences, and how he communicates when he needs help or a break. I appreciate your collaboration in this process. Please know that your input is crucial in developing an effective behavior support plan for Mikey. If you have any more information to share or any questions, feel free to let me know.