Moving Beyond Meltdowns

10/03/2026

https://martin-sheehan.kit.com/d1d161bd4a

When arguing, refusing, yelling, or other challenging behavior pushes you toward your limit, it can be hard to catch yourself before you react.

09/28/2026

https://youtu.be/wM-1kd6Hn70

09/13/2026

"Catch it before it Escalates" guide

Defiant and disruptive behaviors can seem to go from 0 to 100. But often, there are smaller changes that tell you something is beginning to shift. Learning to recognize those early warning signs can help you catch the Escalating Chain sooner—while you still have more options.

07/09/2026

https://martin-sheehan.kit.com/a35c5c97e1

Most meltdowns don't come out of nowhere. In many cases, there are early warning signs that stress is building long before a child becomes overwhelmed.

01/04/2026

12/02/2025

05/22/2025

https://martin-sheehan.kit.com/507c9f8ee2

A step-by-step guide to help individuals with developmental disabilities develop a personalized leisure -activities plan. This free mini-course contains two of the twelve lessons from the full program.

04/29/2025

Disruptive Behaviors defined and Types of Disruptive Behaviors

Defined:
1. Disruptive behaviors are any behavior that significantly interrupts the routine of the acting individual or those in the immediate surroundings (e.g., physical aggression, off task behavior).
2. In disruptive behaviors the person’s distress is focused outward and directly affects other people.

Types:
1. Argumentative/defiant behavior; vindictiveness
2. Aggression towards others; destruction of property (deliberate fire setting, vandalization).
3. Deceitfulness or theft
4. Serious violation of the rules
5. Impulsive and anger based
6. Threatening
7. Characterized by repeated acts of aggression toward others and often accompanied by little or no regard for the effects of such behavior on others.
8. A pattern of unruly, defiant, or aggressive actions that significantly interfere with daily functioning and social interactions.
9. Pattern of uncooperative or defiant behavior

Defusing disruptive behaviors
1. Off -task behavior – cooperation and on-task behavior
2. Rule violation – regulations, routines, and expectations
3. Disrespectful behavior – respectful behaviors
4. Agitation (angry, upset, on edge frustrated, anxious)
5. Noncompliance and limit testing (refusal to cooperate)

DSM 5 – Disruptive Behavior Disorders
1. A group of disorders involving difficulties with self-control, impulses, and aggressive behaviors
2. Types
a. Oppositional defiant disorder
i. Angry, irritable mood
ii. Argumentative/defiant behavior
iii. Vindictiveness
b. Conduct disorder
i. Aggression to people and animals
ii. Destruction of property
iii. Deceitfulness or theft
iv. Serious violation of rules
c. Intermittent explosive disorder
i. Verbal aggression like temper tantrums, tirades, arguments, fights; or physical aggression toward people, animals, or property
d. Also
i. Pyromania
ii. Kleptomania
iii. Antisocial personality disorder

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