| Behaviour | What We May Think | What’s Actually Happening |
|---|---|---|
| Non-compliance | – Doing it on purpose/willful misconduct – Seeking attention – Stubborn | – Difficulty translating verbal directions into action – Doesn’t understand |
| Repeats the same mistakes | – Doing it on purpose/willful misconduct – Not trying – Manipulative | – Unable to link cause and effect – Unable to see similarities – Difficulty generalizing |
| Unable to sit still/Not paying attention | – Doing it on purpose/willful misconduct – Lazy, unmotivated – Doesn’t care – Seeking attention – Bothering others, disruptive | – Neurologically-based need to move while learning – Experiencing sensory overload – Exhausted or tired of failing – Learning style is inconsistent with teaching strategies |
| Not completing tasks | – Doing it on purpose/willful misconduct – Intentionally ignoring instructions – Lazy, unfocused, avoiding – Work refusal | – Difficulties transitioning between tasks – Struggles to organize steps and mental tasks – Memory impairments |
| Poor social interactions | – Poor parenting – May have experienced trauma – Disruptive | – Unable to interpret social cues – Does not know what to do in social settings – Difficulty with impulse control |
| Overly physical | – Doing it on purpose /willful misconduct – Violent – Disruptive, deviant | – Hyper- or hypo-sensitive to touch – Does not understand social cues or personal boundaries |
| Not responding | – Deliberate ignoring – Being disrespectful – Poor attitude | – Slow processing speed – Difficulty with verbal comprehension – Hearing impairment |
| Stealing/Lying | – Deliberate dishonesty – Lack of conscience – Poor parenting | – Unable to understand concept of ownership over time and space – Immature thinking (finders keepers) – Memory and sequencing difficulties – Unable to accurately recall events – Tries to please by telling you what they think you want to hear |
| Meltdowns | – Inappropriate – Immature – Disobedient – Seeking attention | – Experiencing sensory overload – Overwhelmed – Fatigued – Poor fit between environment and their needs |
