What Does Planned Ignoring Mean?
Planned ignoring can be a very effective behavior strategy when used in the right circumstance. Working in the special education world, we know that what we give attention to will increase. This strategy is very straight forward and powerful when trying to decrease behaviors. Planned ignoring is setting the intention to withhold your attention following a behavior.
Often times, we as teachers don’t realize when we respond to a behavior (even a reprimand), it is still a form of attention. There are some instances when a reprimand is given, it is more likely you will see the behavior again. Using effective planned ignoring can help students unlearn problem behaviors when the function is attention seeking. When paired with positive attention, it will help students learn a more socially appropriate way of interacting.
Fundamentals
- Only ignore behaviors that students do for attention. The function must be attention for this behavior strategy to work. If a student is displaying a behavior to escape a task, this strategy will not be helpful.
- Planned ignoring is not a proper strategy for behavior that is dangerous or unsafe to the student or others.
- Provide positive reinforcement or attention to the student for showing the appropriate behavior. There is still a need to teach appropriate behaviors, you cannot just ignore disruptive behaviors and expect the student to learn the acceptable way to act if you do not teach it.
- Pinpoint 1 or 2 behaviors to target to be the most successful when using the planned ignoring strategy.
- Do your absolute best to give NO ATTENTION to the behavior no matter how much it may increase. When I was in college, I learned this to be called the “Extinction burst”. The disruptive behavior will intensify because the student is no longer gaining attention the way they used to. The student may keep displaying the disruptive behavior until they realize it is no longer effective.
- Make sure everyone walking into your room is aware of the planned ignoring in progress. Working in special education there are so many service providers and para-educators that come in and out of the room. If everyone is informed and on the same page, the strategy will be highly effective.
Overview
While using this strategy is quite simple, it can be hard to do when you are not used to ignoring behaviors. However, the more you practice it, the easier it will become. There are a few things to keep in mind when using this strategy:
There are many different types of attention that you might be giving and not even realize! When ignoring attention-seeking behavior make sure to give no eye contact, turn your body away, continue instruction, avoid facial expressions, avoid verbal comments to the individual as well as to others around the student, and physical contact.
Taking data is important, especially when implementing a new strategy. You will want to see how often the behavior is happening before and after the ignoring. Using this information will help you see progress or use it for problem solving.
Reminders
Be sure to reward and give BIG attention to the student when they demonstrate the appropriate behavior, much like a token board. You reinforce each time you see the correct behavior displayed. Don’t be afraid to give attention or reward those students showing the appropriate behavior. This might help the student displaying inappropriate behavior see that they too can get attention for the correct behavior.
Be consistent! You must ignore the behavior EACH time it happens.
Ignore the behavior AS SOON as it happens. If you wait too long, the student could exhibit other behaviors and the strategy might not be effective. The student needs to see very clearly that the attention is being taken away.
Follow through with expectations. Don’t let students escape the task when displaying problematic behaviors.
Lastly, don’t be discouraged if you see an increase in behavior. It will get worse before it gets better and you will eventually see your efforts pay off! Don’t give up!
What behaviors will you try planned ignoring on in your classroom?
Hello.
Thank you for sharing your ideas with planned ignoring. This is a strategy I have used, although I do not think I have ever thought of the name for it. I struggle with supporting others with this strategy as well, but plan to share your post with co-workers during our next meeting. Since many of us work with the same student in special education, we work best when we work together. If we all utilize this same strategy (along with other strategies we utilize), it will have more of an impact on our students.
In your Fundamentals section, I really like your reminder to focus on 1-2 behaviors. I know we sometimes want to address everything in one go, but it is important to remember that we need to address behaviors strategically. Focusing on 1-2 behaviors allows for data collection, praise, and less pressure on all including the student.