The Burkhart Center
for Autism Education & Research
Module Three: Social and Behavioral Issues

Glossary

Behavior and Social Terms

This website holds that the definition of what is determined as acceptable and unacceptable is left to the perception of the beholder.

ABA: (also known as Applied Behavioral Analysis) is a behavioralist approach to altering ways people behave through use of such tools as positive and negative reinforcement.
Aggression: the physical or verbal expression of frustration that may result in hostile or destructive actions
Antecedent: the stimulus or stimuli that comes before a behavior
Behavior: the actions or reactions of a person to either internal or external stimuli
Behavioral contract: an agreement in writing between two people concerning what behavior is expected in a certain environment and what can be expected for appropriate behavior
Behaviorism Philosophy: the study of observable and quatifiable aspects of behavior, excludes things such as emotions and motives
Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP): an educational plan to assist in modifying a student's behaviors
Behavior rating scales: a rating system that assists parents and professionals in evaluating behaviors
Biophysical Philosophy: the concept that limits behaviors to biological and physical reasons
Classroom observation and data collection: the collection of information regarding behaviors that are seen or heard within the classroom.
Cognitive Philosophy
Constructivism Philosophy
Developmental Philosophy: the philosophy that individuals mature through stages and that one cannot reach maturity without going through all the stages.
Discipline referrals: a referral to an administrator of a school, often given by a teacher, for mediation of a previously deemed inappropriate behavior

Functional assessment: Procedure for determining what purpose a behavior may be serving for an individual.
Informally developed checklists: a list of items to be remembered, noted, or checked created for a specific instance and that has not been published
Overload: a physical response to a stimulus or stimuli within the environment beyond the control of the person that can result in a large range of emotions including helplessness, anger, and frustration.
Panic Attack: known in the DSM-IV as a "Panic Disorder", is a physical, fight or flight response which occurs for no apparent reason.
Reports from teachers, parents, and student: written form of communication passed within the educaional bounds between teachers, parents, and students regarding educational matters
Self-concept scale: a measurement that assesses the personal beliefs of an individual regarding his or her abilities
Self-stimming behavior: a behavior that can be any of the following: a compulsive but involuntary tic, a repetitive self-calming tool, a sensory fascination, a tool for social distance, and an indicator when a person with autism is overloading.
Target behaviors: any behavior which someone has chosen to alter in some way

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2005 Burkhart Center for Autism Education & Research

Glossary

Behavior and Social Terms

This website holds that the definition of what is determined as acceptable and unacceptable is left to the perception of the beholder.

ABA: (also known as Applied Behavioral Analysis) is a behavioralist approach to altering ways people behave through use of such tools as positive and negative reinforcement.

Aggression: the physical or verbal expression of frustration that may result in hostile or destructive actions

Antecedent: the stimulus or stimuli that comes before a behavior

Behavior: the actions or reactions of a person to either internal or external stimuli

Behavioral contract: an agreement in writing between two people concerning what behavior is expected in a certain environment and what can be expected for appropriate behavior

Behaviorism Philosophy: the study of observable and quatifiable aspects of behavior, excludes things such as emotions and motives

Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP): an educational plan to assist in modifying a student's behaviors

Behavior rating scales: a rating system that assists parents and professionals in evaluating behaviors

Biophysical Philosophy: the concept that limits behaviors to biological and physical reasons

Classroom observation and data collection: the collection of information regarding behaviors that are seen or heard within the classroom.

Cognitive Philosophy

Constructivism Philosophy

Developmental Philosophy: the philosophy that individuals mature through stages and that one cannot reach maturity without going through all the stages.

Discipline referrals: a referral to an administrator of a school, often given by a teacher, for mediation of a previously deemed inappropriate behavior

Functional assessment: Procedure for determining what purpose a behavior may be serving for an individual.

Informally developed checklists: a list of items to be remembered, noted, or checked created for a specific instance and that has not been published

Overload: a physical response to a stimulus or stimuli within the environment beyond the control of the person that can result in a large range of emotions including helplessness, anger, and frustration.

Panic Attack: known in the DSM-IV as a "Panic Disorder", is a physical, fight or flight response which occurs for no apparent reason.

Reports from teachers, parents, and student: written form of communication passed within the educaional bounds between teachers, parents, and students regarding educational matters

Self-concept scale: a measurement that assesses the personal beliefs of an individual regarding his or her abilities

Self-stimming behavior: a behavior that can be any of the following: a compulsive but involuntary tic, a repetitive self-calming tool, a sensory fascination, a tool for social distance, and an indicator when a person with autism is overloading.

Target behaviors: any behavior which someone has chosen to alter in some way