Tip of the Week: Deconstructing a behavioral incident

Even if your child is not able to recall or talk about what led up to a behavioral incident, it is important to deconstruct the events leading up for your own information. Whether or not it appears that there was an antecedent, there was, and finding it may prevent the next incident from occurring. Look at the interactions with others, the immediate environment, something that may have been misheard or miscommunicated. Children and adults with Prader-Willi syndrome often anticipate good and bad events the same way; lots of changes and unknowns are met with high anxiety, regardless of whether the change is for the better. Closely look at everything that was happening and you will likely find what caused the spike in anxiety.

Patrice Carroll, LICSW, is world-renowned for her Prader-Willi syndrome expertise. As Director of PWS Services at Latham Centers, she works with Latham students and residents and their families, as well as experts in the field, teaching and learning PWS best practices. Patrice also serves on the IPWSO (International Prader-Willi Syndrome Organisation) Caregivers Board, and she co-chairs the PWSA | USA Professional Providers Advisory Board. If you have PWS-related questions, we invite you to email TipTopics@LathamCenters.org.