Shevin Consulting
	(315) 443-5179 info@shevin.org	Mayer Shevin, Ph.D. 275 Fellows Avenue Syracuse NY 13210 USA

SUPPORTING PEOPLE WHO HAVE CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR AND "SEVERE REPUTATIONS"   

Mayer Shevin, Ph.D.

 Many school districts, vocational and residential service provider agencies, and advocacy organizations serve individuals who are commonly regarded as "having behavior problems," or even as being "behavior problems."  Although many effective and respectful approaches to supporting such individuals have been developed, these are often less well-known than the rigid, punitive approaches developed a generation ago.

To promote the use of respectful and effective supports, the following training and consultative services are offered:

WORKSHOPS

(All workshops are customized to meet the needs of the sponsoring agencies.)

Non-punitive approaches to behavior change. 

This one-half or one-day workshop typically covers:

•  Philosophical and scientific supports for non-punitive approaches to challenging behaviors
• Why does punishment often seem like the only possible approach?
• "The myth of the 'target behavior'"
• Evaluation of traditional non-punitive behavioral approaches
• Introduction to innovative approaches to behavior change
• relaxation techniques
• person-directed approaches
• Lovett's techniques
• communication-based approaches
• Creating administrative support for non-punitive approaches
• Dealing with "Yeah, but..." issues

  Collaborative problem-solving

This half-day or one-day workshop explores how to support individuals who are seeking to change their own behaviors.  It is based on the assumption that individuals with challenging behaviors know that they have those behaviors, wish to change them, and already have ideas about the supports they need to change their behavior.  The workshop is designed to

• briefly present the theoretical bases of this approach;
• examine the attitudes and structures which militate against the use of this approach; and
• problem-solve the next steps individual teachers or therapists, agencies or organizations can take toward incorporating this approach into the services they provide to individuals with challenging behaviors.

See the Powerpoint slides from my presentation on this topic in Pierre, SD, May, 2002.(For Internet Explorer)
See the Powerpoint slides from my presentation on this topic in Pierre, SD, May, 2002.(For Netscape)

The one-day versions of both of the above workshops allow much more time for brainstorming, problem-solving, and movement toward concrete implementation of the approaches discussed.

CONSULTATIVE SERVICES

• Direct consultations with individuals seeking to advance toward personal goals despite challenging behaviors and severe reputations.
• Initial consultations and ongoing support to teachers, staff, and family members who support these individuals.