off topic - re nuisance makers

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I hate to state the obvious. But, without prejudice, here goes. As a support

worker who works with persons with developmental disabilities (you may know it

as it was formerly termed, mental retardation), I continually must remember

that:

any response to certain maladaptive behaviours (such as the posts that we've

seen of late) is " positive reinforcement " and the best response to people who

are " acting out " is to not respond at all

However intelligent my responses and rebuttals may be, they will reinforce the

offending behaviour. To a person who is acting out, that is a reward, even if

my response is negative. It's attention seeking, plain and simple. No

attention, equals no reward, which equals no fun.

Respectfully,

Beth

PS Cin, I've been on this list for 2 months and this past week is the first

I've seen of this type of posting.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/16/04 12:02:25 PM Mountain Daylight Time,

duncancrow@... writes:

> So noted Beth,

>

> I don't waste much time on 'em myself

>

> Duncan

>

Duncan

I always look forward to your informative posts, Beth is right, ignore the

attention seekers.

Tony

[Guest guest]

So noted Beth,

I don't waste much time on 'em myself

Duncan

>

>

> Hello,

>

> I hate to state the obvious. But, without prejudice, here goes. As a

> support worker who works with persons with developmental disabilities

> (you may know it as it was formerly termed, mental retardation), I

> continually must remember that:

>

> any response to certain maladaptive behaviours (such as the posts

> that we've seen of late) is " positive reinforcement " and the best

> response to people who are " acting out " is to not respond at all

>

> However intelligent my responses and rebuttals may be, they will

> reinforce the offending behaviour. To a person who is acting out,

> that is a reward, even if my response is negative. It's attention

> seeking, plain and simple. No attention, equals no reward, which

> equals no fun.

>

> Respectfully,

> Beth