The behaviour is a sentence

Teaching a child to ask instead of exploding

A lot of “bad behaviour” is a request with no words. We teach a way to ask that actually works — then the old way has a rival.

Illustration of a child making a request in play
A card or a word that gets the thing. Then the scream has less work to do.

Written by the Inclusive Developmental and Therapy Center therapy team — our Speech & Language Therapist, psychology and ABA staff. This page is awaiting its clinical review.

How requesting is taught

Pick one thing they want every day — a biscuit, the tablet, to go out. Teach one ask that gets it: a card, a point, a word. Honour it quickly while it is new. Then fade. Teaching requests, talking program, AAC: pictures, signs, devices.

Illustration of a child making a request in play
Illustration of a child making a request in play

When the explosion continues

If the new ask does not actually get the job done, they will go back to the scream. Adults have to pay out on the new way. Behaviour at home, first-then.

Other pages in this programme

FAQ

A way to ask — questions parents ask

Isn’t that rewarding bad behaviour if I still give the biscuit?

You are rewarding the ask, not the scream. Pay the ask. Do not pay the scream. That is the whole method.

They can talk. They just won’t.

Then talking is hard in that moment. A card is allowed as a bridge. We do not withhold the thing until they “use their words” if they are already in a flood.

Pictures will stop them talking.

Used well, they usually increase talking. We do not swap speech for pictures as a forever plan without a reason.

How do we start?

A consultation is Rs 1,500 and lasts up to 50 minutes. Tell us the one thing they want that starts the explosion.

Take the first step

Ask about a way to ask

A short, friendly conversation is the best first step. Call, text or WhatsApp us — we’ll listen and guide you, with no pressure.

MPS Road, Block A Model Town, Multan (near Bloomfield Hall School, Street No. 2) · Mon–Fri, 2 PM – 6 PM

Call Now WhatsApp
Chat with us