Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed
First Published: 2003
Last Revised: March 2012
Because of developmental problems, age, or acquired physical problems, some individuals are not able to communicate that they are having discomfort or pain. That's an opportunity for family members and care givers to listen to what behaviors may be telling them about medical conditions
When/how did the behavior start?
Did it appear: ___ Suddenly? ___ Gradually?
What happened around the time it first appeared? (Illness? Friend moved away? Change from baby food to solid food?)
Describe the behavior:
What, exactly, the person does:
What triggers it:
What makes it worse:
What makes it better:
What you do in response:
What does the behavior accomplish?
Does the person get something they want?
Desired object
Desired attention or activity
Does the person get to avoid:
An activity they don't like
An object they don't like
Many behaviors that seem to come out of the blue actually have a specific cause.