Behavior Modification deals with analysing and modifying human behaviour.

At Khushi, we seek to increase desirable behaviour and decrease undesirable behaviour. This is done though a functional assessment – which analyses the reason for the root cause for the behaviour. Functional Assessment gathers information about the antecedent events and reinforcing consequences for a behavioural pattern.

Functions Of Problem Behavior

➤ Self stimulatory

➤ Attention seeking

➤ For tangible items

➤ Avoidance behavior

➤ Behavior because of medical reasons

Dimensions Of Behavior

➤ Frequency (how often it occurs)

➤ Duration (how long does it occurs)

➤ Intensity

Conducting A Functional Assessment

➤ Define behavior

➤ Identify antecedents

➤ Identify consequences

➤ Make a hypothesis

➤ On the basis of hypothesis decide treatment by modulating antecedents/consequences

➤ Confirm hypothesis

➤ Deduct a treatment that is functionally equivalent to the problem behavior

We also use the following behavioural principles to teach new things to a child. Reinforcement, Extinction, Punishment, Stimulus Control, Shaping, Prompting and Transfer of Stimulus Control, Chaining, Differential Reinforcement, and Antecedent Control Procedures and more.

Vestibular system is a very important component of Sensory integration. The precise stimulation of the vestibular system involves stimulating all the 5 receptors present in each ear.

Vestibular systems works with the visual and the auditory system to support the childu2019s development. Precise and specific stimulation of the vestibular system coupled with the auditory and the visual system is called as Astronaut training. It was developed by Occupational therapist Mary Kawar who had a special interest in the vestibular system. Sheila Frick is an Occupational therapist who has developed therapeutic listening and works with the auditory system. Together, Mary Kawar and Sheila Frick have designed the program to ensure that the vestibular, auditory and the visual systems are specifically and most precisely stimulated to get more attention, awareness and postural control.

The astronaut program helps to take care of the sensory processing issues and helps kids who have attention deficits, autism or any developmental motor delay. It helps kids who have difficulties with reading and reading comprehension.

When the vestibular system works efficiently- posture, balance, functioning of the eyes, visual perception, auditory perception all get better. These skills help the child to attend better and also regulate arousal levels helping in self regulation.

At Khushi, we use the astronaut training program while providing Sensory integration in Occupational therapy sessions.