Running head: CAUSAL RISK FACTORS

Causal Risk Factors
Sharon O'Keefe
Grand Canyon: SPE 513
October 5, 2011

Causal Factors coincide Identifying and understanding the causes of Emotional and Behavioral Disorder (EBD) can help in developing successful interventions and prevention strategies. Research has been unable to show that any specific factors cause EBD, but causal risk factors seem to concur with EBD. These risk factors are categorized as either internal (biological) or external (family, school, and culture) (Yell, Meadows, Drasgow, and Shriner, 2009). Internal risk factors encompass an individual’s characteristics, while external risk factors encompass family, school, and culture. Depending on the developmental stage …show more content…

The teacher should instruct the student to become aware of their behaviors, to think of consequences and to think of alternative reactions. The final model is the social-cognitive model. This theory looks at the “reciprocal effects of environment, behavior and person-based variables (GCU, 2011). It is believed that the main determinants of human behavior are within the individual. The problem is that students with EBD have flawed thoughts, beliefs and perceptions that affect their behavior (Yell, et al, 2009). Interventions are as varied as the models used to design and implement behavior plans. According to a study completed by the Clover Park School District, “ Conditions that promote positive behavior in the classroom include (a) clear behavior expectations, (b) the teaching of expected behaviors, (c) consistent and sound responses to rule violations, and (d) individualized programming for more chronic behavioral difficulties.” (Christensen, Jaeger, Lorenz, Morton, Neuman, Rieke, et al., 2005, p. 5). Effective instructional strategies include are varied, but could include: advanced planning, rapid pace, smooth transitions, provide interesting hands-on activities, and offer choices (Yell, et al, 2009). Having a proactive approach is more efficient and less disruptive than a reactive approach. Positive Behavior Support is a three-tiered approach that uses graduated