Behavioral Therapy

_{Reviewed by: My Child Without Limits Advisory Committee}

When a child has a developmental disability, no matter what the severity, it can place very real stresses on both the child and the family. Sometimes children who are coping with a disability from early on in life can develop negative behavioral traits, such as biting or hair-pulling and other aggressive behaviors, out of anger, frustration, or cognitive impairment. These negative behaviors may further impact the family's quality of life and impede the progress of other therapies.

Behavior therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on reducing behavior problems and promoting adaptation skills. Behavioral therapy uses psychological techniques to improve physical, mental, and communicative skills. The activities used vary greatly according to age and disability. Some techniques will be used to discourage destructive behavior, others to encourage self-sufficiency. Behavior therapy can complement physical therapy, such as encouraging children to master tasks that promote muscular and motor development. Praise, positive reinforcement, and small rewards can encourage a child to learn to use weak limbs, overcome speech deficits, and stop negative behaviors like hair pulling and biting. Sometimes this is called behavior management or behavior modification therapy.

How does behavior therapy differ from cognitive therapy?

Behavior therapy is the opposite of cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapy focuses primarily on the thoughts and emotions that lead to certain behaviors, while behavioral therapy deals with changing and eliminating those unwanted behaviors. However, some therapists practice a type of psychotherapy that focuses on both thoughts and behavior. This type of treatment is called cognitive-behavioral therapy.

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What Is Applied Behavior Analysis?

Download the Introduction to Behavioral Therapy.