Navigating Behavior Change

A master class in preventing challenging student behavior with confidence

Navigating Behavior Change is a book for all the teachers and school professionals who struggle with the constant cycle of reacting to student behavior. This guide outlines universal practices which should be in place within every classroom to prevent challenging behaviors before they start. When students are focused and ready to learn, educators can do the important work of teaching. In this book, school psychologist Amanda Wilson and special educator Danielle Lindquist help you build your skill set, so you can create an environment where students are regulated and motivated to learn. Inside, you'll find a comprehensive framework of components that you can implement in any K-12 classroom to prevent challenging behaviors and increase student engagement.

• Understand the influence of executive functions, missing skills, and motivation on student behavior
• Learn the core components of classroom management, including class structure and high-leverage instructional practices
• Effectively and meaningfully embed reinforcement to increase student motivation
• Learn how to effectively respond to challenging behaviors to assist students in de-escalating and re-engaging
• Manage your classroom in a trauma-informed way that maintains student dignity

This book will help K-12 teachers, special education teachers, school counselors, and other service providers, instructional coaches, and administrators of students with behavior challenges. Take a proactive approach to behavior and help students so you can spend more time teaching and they can spend more time learning.

Foreword xiii

About the Authors xv

Introduction xvii

How It All Began xvii

Why We Wrote This Book xviii

How to Use This Book xx

Format xx

Activities xx

Resources xxi

1 Foundations of Behavior 1

What Does Behavior Have to Do with Universal Supports? 1

The Brain: The Not-So-Big Elephant in the Room 5

Why We Do What We Do 9

2 So You Want to Manage a Classroom? 17

Debunking Common Classroom Management Myths 17

Starting with the End in Mind 19

We Ride “The Blame Train” 20

We Make Assumptions 20

We Opt for Compliance or Bust 20

We Get Cozy in Consequence Land 21

Values 22

Components of Effective Universal Supports 24

3 Structuring Your Way to Success 29

An Organized Classroom Supports Organized Behavior 29

Arranging the Physical Layout 30

What It Is 31

Why It’s Effective 31

How to Do It 31

Communicating the Message Through Visual Aids 36

What It Is 37

Why It’s Effective 37

How to Do It 38

Additional Considerations 38

Ensuring Predictability with Schedules and Lesson Agendas 40

What It Is 41

Why It’s Effective 41

How to Do It 41

Additional Considerations 42

Creating Exceptional Expectations 42

What It Is 44

Why It’s Effective 46

How to Do It 46

Additional Considerations 49

Road Mapping Routines for Independence 51

What It Is 51

Why It’s Effective 52

How to Do It 52

Additional Considerations 56

4 Leveling Up Your Instructional Practices 59

Preparing with Precorrection 59

What It Is 60

Why It’s Effective 61

How to Do It 61

Additional Considerations 62

Encouraging Cooperation with Instructional Choice 64

What It Is 64

Why It’s Effective 65

How to Do It 65

Additional Considerations 68

Increasing Opportunities to Respond 70

What It Is 71

Why It’s Effective 71

How to Do It 72

Additional Considerations 76

Getting Our Steps in with Active Supervision 77

What It Is 77

Why It’s Effective 78

How to Do It 78

Additional Considerations 81

Packaging Up Your Lesson Delivery 82

What It Is 83

Why It’s Effective 83

How to Do It 84

Additional Considerations 89

5 Reinforcing Desirable Behaviors 91

Rewards and Incentives and Bribery, Oh My! 91

Common Statements and Misunderstandings Regarding Reinforcement 92

Improving Feedback with Behavior-Specific Praise 96

What It Is 97

Why It’s Effective 98

How to Do It 99

Additional Considerations 101

Embedding Reinforcement into the Classroom 105

6 Responding to Challenging Behaviors 111

Breaking Tradition 111

Misapplied 112

Overused 113

Unresponsive 113

Common Motivations for Ineffective Responses 114

The Mirror: Taking a Long, Hard Look 117

Responding Rather than Reacting 118

Checking Our Communication 120

Regulating: The Art of Defusing 123

Why It’s Effective 123

Developing Your Response Framework 124

Additional Considerations 132

Reflecting: Problem-Solving and Planning for the Future 133

What It Is 134

Why It’s Effective 134

How to Do It 135

Additional Considerations 136

Restoring: Fixing Harm Done 137

What It Is 137

Why It Is Effective 137

How to Do It 137

Re-Engaging: Getting Everyone Back on Track 138

What It Is 138

Why It Is Effective 139

How to Do It 139

7 Putting It All Together 141

Common Classroom Challenges 141

Transitions and Tribulations 143

Circle Time Circus 146

Writing Retaliation 149

Direct Instruction Disaster 152

8 Problem-Solving Barriers 157

Fidelity of Implementation 157

Gaining Buy-In and Advocating for Change 158

Appendix 163

Reproducible Forms 163

References 187

Glossary 189

Index 191

Amanda Wilson, Ed.S., NCSP, BCBA, is CEO of Navigating Behavior Change—a professional development company committed to assisting educators in teaching, working with, and improving the lives of students who exhibit challenging behaviors. A nationally certified school psychologist with twenty years’ experience in diverse public school settings, Amanda has significant experience assisting school teams in developing and implementing positive behavior intervention frameworks. Visit www.navigatingbehaviorchange.com to learn more.

Danielle Lindquist, M.Ed., BCBA, is a licensed special education teacher and board certified behavior analyst. She has extensive experience teaching students with significant mental health disorders and extreme interfering behavior, as well as coaching staff in providing effective supports.

“This book is perfect for professional learning communities, collaborating and coaching staff, and individuals that are seeking to create an effective classroom setting where learning happens in a safe and supported environment for everyone.”
—KRISTA RICE, School Psychologist, Anchorage School District

“In a space filled with noise, Wilson and Lindquist deliver clarity. Their focus on universal supports as foundational—not optional—is a message we can’t repeat enough. This book reinforces many of the same principles I advocate for and does so with heart and precision.”
—DR. PAUL "PAULIE" GAVONI, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author and founder of Heart & Science International and The Behavioral Toolbox

A transformative guide to preventing and improving challenging student behavior

In Navigating Behavior Change, school psychologist Amanda Wilson and educator Danielle Lindquist deliver proven strategies to help teachers and school professionals break the cycle of reactive behavior management. The book explains universally effective practices to implement in all classrooms to prevent challenging behaviors.

Inside, you’ll find a comprehensive framework that creates an environment where students are regulated, motivated, and engaged in learning. As an essential resource for K-12 teachers, special education teachers, school counselors, and other service providers, this book will also help instructional coaches and administrators seeking to take a proactive approach to behavior that ultimately leads to more productive teaching and learning experiences for all.

Praise for Navigating Behavior Change

“Amanda and Danielle bring together their lessons learned from years in educational settings to create an incredibly accessible and useful resource full of information, opportunities for reflection, and easy to apply strategies that span from preschool through high school. This book is perfect for professional learning communities, collaborating and coaching staff, and individuals that are seeking to create an effective classroom setting where learning happens in a safe and supported environment for everyone.”

—Krista Rice, School Psychologist, Anchorage School District

“This engaging and practical book offers educators powerful strategies that are easy to implement in the classroom. Whether you’re a general or special education teacher, a behavior support professional, or a school or district administrator, the insights shared by the authors—based on their own experiences—will enhance your ability to create a more positive, supportive learning environment. It’s a must-read for anyone committed to strengthening universal supports and improving school climate for students and staff alike.”

—Dawn Spurlock, Director of Special Services, Caldwell School District in Caldwell, Idaho

“In a space filled with noise, Wilson and Lindquist deliver clarity. Their focus on universal supports as foundational—not optional—is a message we can’t repeat enough. This book reinforces many of the same principles I advocate for and does so with heart and precision.”

—Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni, WSJ and USA Today bestselling author and founder of Heart & Science International and The Behavioral Toolbox

“Navigating Behavior Change is a gem! It’s brimming with relatable wisdom and practical classroom strategies rooted in evidence-based practices focusing on universal supports for all students to enhance learning. Teachers, university faculty preparing teachers, and others supporting teachers will undoubtedly find the perspectives, strategies, and tools valuable in real-world situations and immediately actionable.”

—Michael F. Giangreco, PhD, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Special Education, University of Vermont

“Navigating Behavior Change provides a step-by-step roadmap for teachers, school psychologists, and other educators to effectuate positive behavior change in classrooms. It is a must-read for current school professionals as well as pre-service educators in higher education training programs.”

—Katherine A. Dockweiler, Assistant Professor of School Psychology and President of the Nevada State Board of Education

“Teachers, school leaders, educational consultants—this book is ideal for anyone who needs user-friendly tools and a framework when navigating behavior change to improve student progress in classrooms. Busting myths with evidence-based strategies, Amanda and Danielle break down components of quality instructional practices with solid rationales and guiding questions to apply effective tools and strategies the next day!”

—Alison Lovelace, PhD, BCBA-D