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Chase the Why

"Infographic by Greg Santucci, Occupational Therapist, titled 'Chase The Why of Behavior.' The infographic opens with three behavior descriptions across the top: Not Paying Attention; Not Working; Not Following Directions, followed by the prompt to chase the why of the behavior. The main section lists possible reasons behind the behavior under the heading 'The Why Could Be,' organized across three groups. The first group includes: I'm focused on something else; I didn't sleep well; I'm overwhelmed; I was late to school; There's stress at home. The second group includes: It's too loud in here; I'm hungry; My shirt is itchy; I have to use the bathroom; The classroom is just too much right now. The third group includes: I'm bored; You're not teaching the way I learn; I don't understand; I'm embarrassed to ask for help; I don't know how to get started. Below the lists, the infographic states 'There Are Many More Whys' and closes with three key reminders: The outside behavior is a signal that there's a problem on the inside; Don't react to the outside behavior — find out why the behavior is occurring; and The why is never simply attention seeking or avoiding — keep chasing."

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When a child isn’t paying attention, struggling to follow directions, or refusing to work, their behavior is often misunderstood. Instead of reacting to what you see on the surface, chase the WHY behind their actions.

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By Greg Santucci

When a child isn't paying attention, struggling to follow directions, or refusing to work, their behavior is often misunderstood. Instead of reacting to what you see on the surface, Chase The WHY behind their actions.

This insightful infographic highlights the many possible reasons behind challenging behaviors—whether it’s sensory overload, exhaustion, anxiety, or difficulty understanding instructions.

By shifting our perspective from “attention-seeking” to seeking to understand, we can provide the right support to help children succeed.

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