Ask yourself: why do people do what they do? Why do normally intelligent
people get themselves involved in stupid situations? Why do you feel completely
freaked out every time you even think of heights? Why do you bite your nails?
The answer, say behavioral analysts, is conditioning.
According to behavioral analysts, anything that can be learned can also
be unlearned -- once you discover the proper technique. That means long nails,
smarter decisions and freedom from the fear of heights.
For some people, behavioral techniques can mean learning life-changing
skills. These may be life skills for developmentally disabled people or job
skills for those with head injuries.
"I help developmentally disabled people who have many life issues. Some
of them have anger management problems. Others are suffering from mental illness
or depression. My job is to assist them in exploring their options," says
Scott Martin, a Washington-based social worker and behavioral analyst.
Martin is responsible for over 50 developmentally disabled adults. He works
for a community placement and production facility that hires state-funded
developmentally disabled adults (known as targeted workers). When one of the
targeted workers has a behavioral problem, Martin gets a call.
Martin has confronted many issues, from petty theft to inappropriate social
interactions. Rather than punishing the targeted workers, Martin's employer
takes a client-centered approach. When an incident happens, Martin talks to
the worker to get their side of the story.
"It's important to get all sides and not rely on one person's story. If
you punish someone for something they didn't do, it's hard to rebuild that
trust." If Martin determines the story is true, he'll immediately provide
appropriate punishment (a write-up or suspension). But he doesn't stop there.
Martin's credo is never give up. Once he knows there's a problem, he'll
meet with the targeted worker, as well as the targeted worker's case manager
and advocate. Together, they create a behavioral plan that lists expected
behaviors -- and the rewards along the way.
Some people may receive special privileges. Others may get a special cake
if they go one month without engaging in negative behavior. The important
thing is positive behaviors are reinforced -- and negative behaviors have
immediate consequences.
One thing every behavioral analyst has to learn? Patience. Remember when
you tried to stop biting your nails? It's easy to relapse back in to your
old, negative behaviors. "Some targeted workers slip a few times. What we
look for is improvement -- are they getting better?" says Martin.
However, micro-improvements can be frustrating to the quick-fix junkie.
"You have to make sure you can do this. It can be both very draining and exciting.
But if you can't be patient, you won't help your clients."
Behavioral analyst Tannis Antonio's day starts early -- at
6:30 a.m. Her workday creeps into late evening. As an on-site advisor, she
lives and works in the residential facility that houses youths with extreme
behavioral, emotional, academic and familial challenges. If clients are roaming
the halls at 1 a.m., she's the one who gently guides them back into bed.
Although her schedule seems overly demanding, she admits it's not the normal
story for behavioral analysts. "I work seven days a week and am on call 24
hours per day. This is atypical. My staff have much more attractive working
hours and conditions," she says.
What keeps Antonio going during those overtime hours? Devout dedication.
"My passion comes from knowing that I can and do make a difference. The conviction
to continue is that my work is valuable."
The best parts for her are the signs of appreciation. "The smiles -- and
'Thanks for giving me back my child' -- on a parent's face when they enjoy
their child's company for the first time in years, the unsteady and careworn
parental voice on the other end of the phone at 2 a.m. that laughs with me
by 3 a.m. And the young man or woman that contacts me long after leaving the
program to say, 'Thanks for never giving up on me, and for not letting me
give up on myself,'" she says.
It's not just the families that Antonio helps. Working with at-risk children
puts her squarely in the middle of divergent family dynamics. "I help adult
clients by being a very straight up, practical person who offers practical
advice and suggestions designed to provide immediate relief in crisis, within
a structured and long-term plan of care," she explains.
"I do not speak analyst language, nor do I spend a lot of time trying to
figure out the why of the issue. I prefer to focus on the what and determining
result-oriented solutions." Her assistance helps both children and parents
-- and helps people rebuild their lives.
Exploring the mysteries of the mind is never boring. Behavioral analysts
enjoy an exciting, fascinating career. With some education, a little patience
and a lot of compassion, you can successfully help your clients learn positive
skills -- one behavior at a time.