A step-by-step approach for addressing aggression, tantrums, and unsafe behavior
This training teaches a practical, visual method to help you stay calm during challenging moments, understand what your child may need, and respond in supportive ways. If you’ve ever felt unsure of how to address aggression, tantrums, or unsafe behaviors, you’re not alone. Led by Morgan van Diepen (BCBA and co-founder of BIP Visualized), this course is designed to make behavior expertise approachable and easy to use. You’ll learn strategies that promote confidence and consistency, helping create a calmer, more predictable environment.
Why Take This Training?
- Set realistic expectations: Review developmental data on challenging behaviors (such as tantrums, aggression, and property destruction) to better understand what’s typical, especially for younger children.
- Put numbers into context: For example, research shows neurotypical 6-year-olds average 1.4 tantrums per day, and neurotypical 4-year-olds average 1.2 aggressive incidents daily. This helps you set meaningful, realistic goals.
- Prevent escalation: Use the Firm but Flexible strategy to respond early to low-intensity signals (like refusal, eye-rolling, or grumbling) before they build into more intense reactions.
- Understand the “why” behind behaviors: Learn how behavior communicates needs, wants, or attempts to cope, and explore the four common functions, attention, escape, access, and sensory.
- Promote safety and consistency: When responses are predictable and aligned across all adults, children feel safer and more supported.
What You’ll Get
- Two step-by-step strategies for responding effectively across behaviors, ages, and settings.
- Firm but Flexible framework: Support expectations (the what) while offering flexibility in how they’re met (e.g., using choices, pacing adjustments, or brief breaks).
- Developmental norms “cheat sheets” summarizing research from 1,600+ parents and caregivers on challenging behaviors and foundational skills (ages 0–10).
- A full walkthrough of the Pause, Redirect, Reward strategy:
- Pause – Focus on safety, stay calm, and validate the child
- Redirect – Guide toward a pre-taught regulation or communication skill
- Reward – Acknowledge effort immediately when using the skill
- Guidance on matching redirection strategies to the function of behavior (e.g., teaching “Can I have a break?” for escape-based behavior or “Can you watch me?” for connection-seeking).
- Key insight: During crisis or peak escalation, the only goal is safety—not teaching or correcting.
Take this training to gain a clear plan rooted in calm, compassionate care.