WHAT ARE POSITIVE COMMUNICATION ALTERNATIVES TO NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR?
All behaviors potentially communicate something to someone. Communication does not require words. For example, smiles and hugs can communicate positive messages of approval and fondness. Frowns and threatening gestures communicate negative messages. Nonverbal behavior may or may not carry an intended message. For example, when one person continues to sit silently when another enters a room, the message communicated might be lack of interest even though there was no intent to send that message. Often students with behavior problems communicate (intentionally or not) their desires and needs with negative behaviors. These behaviors may include physical aggression, running out of the room, using threatening language, and the like. Sometimes a behavior may begin as other than intentionally communicative (e.g., a student covers his ears when a loud noise is present). However if the behavior has a positive effect (e.g., somebody eliminates the loud noise), then the behavior (hands over ears)
