Problem: The student engages in behavior that is markedly inconsistent from day to day and possibly hour to hour.

Social-Emotional Possibility: Family Problems

Step 1: Organize observations relevant to the problematic behavior/issue

• Who is reporting the problem?
• When does it occur? (Include time of day, activities etc).
• Where does it occur?
• What tends to precede the problematic behavior/issue?
• What tends to follow the problematic behavior/issue?
• What is the age and functioning level of the student?
• Previous documentation/charts?

Step 2: Identify possible contributors to the problematic behavior/issue

In many cases, there are several contributors to the student’s identified problem. These contributors may interact with each other, therefore, it may be necessary to combine tests from different categories of possibilities. The existence of several interacting contributors may become obvious as you proceed through individual intervention experiments.

Family problems: Some students may be inconsistent in their behavior and performance as a result of family crises or other problems away from school.

Relevant observations: The student occasionally talks about problems away from school. The parents describe difficulties at home or in the student’s social life.

Possible referrals: School psychologist or counselor for assessment and counseling