The Four Motivators for Behavior

Understanding why a child is using a particular behavior will help you develop a plan to change that behavior. For many of us, our children never stop misbehaving. The arguing, acting out and temper tantrums just continue. This is probably happening because
you have not figured out what is MOTIVATING the child’s behavior. It takes a little time to find the true motivator but once you do you will be able to stop the behavior you don’t want to see and replace it with a behavior you do want to see.

MOTIVATION NUMBER 1. Children NEED attention. Every child needs attention from adults and other children. Some Every child needs attention from adults and other children. Some children need more attention than other children. Adults need to be there when a child is hurt; they need to make sure a child gets enough sleep, food, and are safe; they need to provide activities for learning and growth. But even more important, adults need to be there to hold a child, to listen to a child tell about his day, and engage in play and family activities with a child. Some children need to have lots of friends, some like to have just one friend; and adults have to help children develop successful social skills so they can have friends. If a child is not getting enough attention, that child will do what ever it takes to get that attention. A child will often use inappropriate behavior because that is the quickest way to get adults to pay attention. A child will not be concerned if this is negative or positive attention.
Ask yourself if you are giving your child enough attention. Try giving him more attention and seeing if his behavior improves.
(will continue next week)

Eustacia Cutler          
Raising Temple Grandin -A Family Affair
  LIVE VIDEO CONFERENCE
August3, 2010 10:00 am - 1:00 PDT
(11:00 MDT, 12;00 CDT, 1:00 EDT)
Last week of Special Registration
REGISTRATION through July 23, 2010 Just $80.00
A LIVE VIDEO CONFERENCE WITH EUSTACIA CUTLER
BRING EUSTACIA INTO YOUR HOME, PARENT MEETING, OR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MEETING. 
ONE FEE PER SITE - NO LIMIT ON ATTENDEES AT YOUR SITE.
Sponsored by Washington State University and Autism Families Together.     
“There was no magic, there was just doing the best I could...
and never letting go of hope.”
OOOOOOOO EUSTACIA CUTLER
Eustacia Cutler is the mother of four children. Her oldest child is Temple Grandin, who is known as  the most  successful person with autism in the world today. Eustacia is a graduate of Harvard. She has been a band singer at the Pierre Hotel, New York City, performed and written for theater and cabaret, and written documentaries on disabilities for major television networks.
Her current book, "A Thorn in My Pocket" describes raising Temple in the conservative world of the 1950’s.
Eustacia was one of the first to tread new territory as she overcame the difficulties of “challenging the system." Like every parent, she wanted the best for her child. She understands the myth, reality, angst, and guilt a family experiences in society. She is where you will be in the future: looking back on the things you did to help your child.  When the “system” is not meeting the needs of your child, you must be creative and design your own program. Piece by piece, you and your child can develop a meaningful, interrelated reality. Eustacia will inspire you to reach beyond your current resources and make it work for you and your child.
A Thorn in My Pocket Get a personally autographed copy from our store. HERE
This excerpt from her book gives insight into what Eustacia felt as a mother.

'I’m practicing Bach at the piano and Temple, now perhaps 2 1/2 but still not speaking, is on the floor beside me, absorbed in crumpling a newspaper, humming to herself, squeezing the paper, watching it slowly spring open, shredding it, gazing at the pieces that float about her. I try to entice her with colored plastic cups and spoons, but she won’t look at me.
“See the bright colors? See how the cups fit together? Now the spoons. Isn’t that fun?”
She stares for a moment and returns to her newspaper. I tell myself that children find their own playthings and don’t have to be entertained with what we think of as toys. But she looks so forlorn, sitting there absorbed in her tattered plaything, sooty with newspaper ink. Like a slum child nobody cares for. My pretty baby with her blue eyes and blonde curls. She who would prefer me to leave her alone. The snub cuts deep. Eerie in her calm refusal to engage, she’s closed the door on me, polite but firm. And so with the best intentions we each neglect the other. Isolated, numb, we play it safe, I in my world, she in hers. But what is her world? I turn back to the Bach. I’m not very good at it, but it’s better than nothing. She hums. She’s humming the Bach.'

Click here to register           

Problem registering?   call 509-335-2321 or email sherry@familiestogether.org
               Purchase orders from schools districts will be accepted.  
Individual Class Registration and 3 Clock Hours will be available  through Washington State University.  Payment for registration and clock hours will be accepted  following the workshop. 

Saturday, August 28
9:00am
5K on the Latah Trail
beginning at Old Tidyman’s Bldg. parking lot
Join the United Way of Moscow/Latah County as we Kick Off our 2011 Giving Campaign!
Feel great giving to United Way because we continually asses the social service needs of Moscow and Latah County.
We fund social service agencies that demonstrate success in serving those needs effectively.
We simply provide effective financial support for local organizations in YOUR community,
and serve as a focal point for accountability of the contributed funds.

 

Brown Bag Lunch with
Eustacia Cutler!

August 2, 2010 from 12:00-1:00 PM
St. James Epicopal Church
1410 Northeast Stadium Way
Pullman, WA
Bring your lunch and enjoy an hour with Eustacia Cutler-Mother of Temple Grandin. We will have her book, A Thorn in my Pocket, available for purchase. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, don't miss it. If you have any questions call 866 326 4864. Cost for this event is by donation which will be accepted at the door. This event is for adults only.