Remain Neutral

Responding with support

Goal

Reduce attention-related challenging behaviors while continuing to offer calm, supportive presence.

How

When a behavior occurs that has been determined to serve an attention function, remain calm and keep your body language neutral. Avoid giving extra attention—such as reprimands or exaggerated facial expressions. Remain present and supportive, using nonverbal cues to guide the learner toward a more effective way to seek connection.

Context

Use this strategy when a behavior occurs to gain attention in a disruptive or unsafe way. In line with neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed care, we never ignore someone in distress. Instead, we stay available for calm support.

Tip

Keep a visual card nearby with pre-taught phrases like “Come look!” or “Can I play?” to remind the learner how to seek connection in positive ways.