Misfit Minute 16: When Writing Tasks Cause Behaviors: Helping Students Stay Focused

Sometimes our students giggle, get wiggly, or completely check out when it’s time to write. Is it task avoidance? A skills gap? Sensory overload? In this Misfit Minute, Audra walks through 5 quick questions to help you figure out what’s really going on—and what to do about it—when pencil-and-paper tasks go sideways.🔑 Key Takeaways• Start with: Is it a can’t or a won’t? Skill deficits and motivation issues need different responses.• If it’s a can’t, reduce the demand—use scribes, stamps, typing, or tracing to build participation.• Use shaping to gradually increase writing tolerance—think small steps with strong reinforcement.• If it’s a won’t, reassess the reinforcement—maybe the “then” isn’t strong or fast enough.• Try shared turns—write together, take turns, and make it social and fun to build engagement.📦 Resources Mentioned• “Can’t Do vs Won’t Do” visual (in the Misfit Behaviorists FB group and linked in show notes) or here → https://abainschool.com/mm2w• Related episode: 5 Preschool Behavior Strategies → https://abainschool.com/ep66 • Crisis Cycle Creation → https://abainschool.com/ep57 • FBA process starts here! → https://abainschool.com/ep31 • ABA in School blog → https://abainschool.com•  Free token boards → https://abainschool.com/ymnr🙌 Join Us & Share• Keep the conversation going in our Facebook group → https://abainschool.com/misfits• Subscribe for more short tips + full-length strategy episodes• Share this with a teammate who works with reluctant writers or early learnersJoin the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! Apple podcast | The Misfit BehavioristsYouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists👋 Find us!Audra | ABA in School  Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!