Behavior & Sensory Support

What you need to know   

Social

  • Young children who have Aicardi syndrome often learn to respond to personal cues and interactions and can be very intuitive.
  • Interest in other people allows children to express a broad range of feelings and form close bonds and real friendships.
  • Children can and should be part of family and class activities, household chores, and daily living skills.
  • Children typically enjoy recreation, music, and physical activity.

What you can do 

  • Make sure teaching strategies being used are appropriate for the child. For example, if the child is already socially engaged, make sure the interventions are suited for someone who is socially engaged.
  • Be proactive with behavioral supports. Discuss involvement of behavioral or mental health professionals, or medications with the parents as needed.
  • The use of firm and consistent directions, rules, and clear expectations is helpful.
  • Work with the occupational therapist to see if a sensory diet or other sensory supports may be helpful.
  • Use positive behavioral interventions and supports
    • If there are behavior challenges, consider a functional behavioral assessment. 
      • A functional behavioral assessment, when used in the context of positive behavioral supports, is a method of developing an understanding of the function (purpose) of a person’s challenging behavior and identifying positive ways to help the person have more effective and efficient ways of getting their needs met, preventing the occurrence of the behavior and changing other’s responses so the behavior isn’t reinforced.
    • Then develop a support plan:
      • Understand the causes of the behavior
      • Develop prevention strategies
      • Teach behaviors that WILL work to get what they want

Here are some resources related to Functional Behavior Assessments: