Celebration of Scholars
The Effects of Instructional Classroom Management on Problem Behaviors in the Classroom
Name:
Melody Lewis
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Round Lake Beach, Il
Faculty Sponsor: Dennis Munk
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Senior thesis
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to investigate the use of Instructional Classroom Management (ICM) to decrease inappropriate behaviors in a nine-year-old boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), and Anxiety. ICM is a multi-component intervention involving the manipulation of instructional variables (e.g., task modality, length, difficulty level), and is typically applied in group classroom settings. ICM was implemented before the last class period of the day, and focused on transitioning between classes. Choices were offered for where to sit, desired food or water, and what toys he wanted to have with him during class. Once he was seated in the classroom, a timer was set according to the task schedule and the time would increase in minute increments during each day when the study was conducted.Throughout the intervention, the boy would be given verbal reinforcements and, if earned, he would also be given additional reinforcements for successful completion of the task. Overall, ICM resulted in a decrease in more serious inappropriate behaviors, but did not impact off-task behaviors. Further research needs to be conducted to address off-task behaviors associated with ASD, SPD, and Anxiety.
Submit date: April 3, 2020, 3:03 p.m.