“Non-compliant.” “Misbehaving.” “Runner.” If you’ve ever heard these words about your child from teachers, aides, providers, or even well-meaning family, you know how frustrating (and unhelpful) they can be. You’re not imagining it — behavior can feel like one of the hardest (and sometimes scariest) parts of parenting a child with a disability. And figuring out the root cause — and putting prevention strategies in place — can feel even more overwhelming.
This week, we’re cutting getting to the root of behavior. From common behavioral interventions (including some you might not know about) to elopement safety plans, visual stories, IEP goals that move beyond just reducing “bad behavior,” plus all the things you wish teachers understood about your child — and more!
Behavior basics
Start by reading up on behavior, including all the reasons why kids act out and what “non-compliance” actually means. Then, discover practical tips and appropriate therapies for handling common challenging behaviors from tantrums to biting to PDA, and more.
Finally, head back to school and explore how to secure supportive, strength-focused behavior plans that will help your child thrive. Plus, don’t miss our handy guide: Top 10 Things Parents Wish They Knew About Their Child’s Behavior in School — everything you wish someone had told them already!
A spotlight on elopement & school avoidance
Is your child is eloping, wandering off, or refusing to go to school, no matter what you try? We’ve gathered expert-backed tips and practical plans to help, from prevention to intervention to crisis management, and more.
- What to do when your child elopes — including the 4 key elements of an effective safety plan.
- How to address elopement at school — where we explore everything from 1:1 aides to IEP goals.
- And with school in full swing — how to help your child when they refuse to go to school.
- Plus, check out our Visual Stories Library for printable, customizable visual stories on water safety, road safety, and more.
Behavior FAQs 💬
💬 Is ABA therapy the best way to approach behavioral challenges?→ While ABA may work for some kids, it’s not a one-size-fits all situation and doesn’t work for every family. Explore more common (and not-so-common) strategies, therapies, and interventions — including neuro-affirmative and relationship-focused approaches.
💬 How do I know if my child’s FBA is done right?→ There are a few red flags to watch for, from how “behavior” is defined to whether the charts actually show what they claim.
💬 Does an aide mean my child won’t learn independence?→ It depends on how the support is used. With the right IEP goals, a 1:1 aide (also called a paraeducator) can actually help build independence instead of taking it away.
💬 Do I have to give the school permission to use restraint or seclusion?→ No, schools don’t need permission from a parent to use restraint and seclusion if they deem it necessary, but you should not agree to them in writing in your child’s IEP or 504. Learn what to do instead.
Meet a Navigator→ Watch this short video to hear one of our Navigators share why helping families with school issues is what she loves most.
FREE virtual event: RSVP now → Back to School with Education Attorney Dina Kaplan from Vanaman German
Are you stressed about statewide district budget deficits, unknown federal cuts, staff shortages, and how our kids’ education will be affected this school year? Join us on Thursday, September 25, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. PT for a FREE event where Education Attorney Dina Kaplan will help answer questions and help you navigate a school year where the stakes and potential barriers seem higher than ever. RSVP here→
Join us for expert office hours
If you’re an Undivided member, join us for office hours on Wednesday, September 3, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PT with Education Attorney David Tollner, who’ll be available to answer all of your questions about IEPs, special education, and more. If you’re not an Undivided member yet, get started here to join us for office hours every week.
Upcoming Undivided Conversations: Tune in to our Facebook page to watch!
- August 29 at 10:00 a.m. PT: Rethinking Behavior. Join Ross Greene, PhD, clinical psychologist and author, again as he explains that it isn’t always obvious what the problem is when a child is exhibiting challenging behaviors. Greene tackles how parents have to think beyond the immediate behavior to identify the unsolved problem.
- August 30 at 10:00 a.m. PT: Behavior 101: Supporting Kids Through Challenging Behaviors. Catch this re-stream convo with top behavior experts as they share effective strategies for helping our kids navigate challenging behaviors.
- August 31 at 10:00 a.m. PT: Keeping Kids Safe: Navigating Elopement. Join experts Sally Burton-Hoyle, EdD, Sarah Pelangka, BCBA-D, Nathan Call, PhD, BCBA-D, and Regina Frazer as they share guidance on understanding elopement behaviors, creating safety plans, and building the right supports through your IEP or 504 plan.
.png){kind=icon}
Does your child have goals to stay “on task” in their IEP? Watch this YouTube video about rethinking those goals→
Our private Facebook group for parents reached a huge milestone! Join our community of 2,500 parents raising kids with disabilities→
How do kids in our community feel about going back to school? Hear from this first grader on our Instagram→
Help more parents, teachers, and providers understand our kids’ behavior. Share Undivided’s resources on LinkedIn→
