Every Behavior is Communication ft. Chyna Lynner
Welcome to a special recap and deep dive into the latest episode of the "Flip Side: Get Your Teach On" podcast, featuring special education and behavior specialist Chyna Lynner. In this episode, Chyna shares practical strategies for understanding student behavior, building stronger relationships, and helping students develop the skills they need to succeed both academically and socially.
Let’s break down the main themes and expert tips Chyna shared, so you can walk away with actionable strategies to better support your students and create a more connected classroom.
Every Behavior Is Communication: Looking Beyond the Surface
Main Takeaway:
Student behavior is often a form of communication. Instead of immediately reacting, take time to understand what a student is trying to express.
Chyna’s Story:
Early in her teaching career, Chyna worked with a non-speaking student who frequently spit throughout the day. After trying multiple strategies without success, she noticed the behavior stopped when the student’s mother gave him a hug. She realized he had been communicating a need for affection.
Actionable Advice:
Look Beyond the Behavior: Ask yourself, “Is this actually what they are communicating, or am I missing something?” Consider whether a student is seeking attention, expressing frustration, or struggling to communicate a need.
Identify Patterns: Pay attention to what happens before and after a behavior to uncover possible triggers and unmet needs.
Provide Communication Tools: Visual cards, gestures, and other communication supports can help students express their needs more effectively.
Expert Insight:
Chyna reminds teachers that sometimes the solution is simpler than we think. Understanding the message behind a behavior can help us respond with greater empathy and effectiveness.
The ABC Method: Finding the Root Cause of Behavior
Main Takeaway:
Tracking what happens before, during, and after a behavior can help teachers identify patterns and develop more effective interventions.
Chyna’s Approach:
Chyna recommends using an ABC chart to document the antecedent, behavior, and consequence. This simple tool helps teachers gather information instead of relying on assumptions.
Actionable Advice:
Record the Antecedent: What happened immediately before the behavior? Was it a transition, a difficult assignment, or an interaction with a peer?
Describe the Behavior: Write down exactly what happened, such as throwing a paper, refusing a task, or kicking a desk.
Document the Consequence: What happened afterward? Did the teacher redirect the student, remove a demand, or provide support?
Look for Patterns: Use your observations to guide your next steps and determine what additional information you need.
Expert Insight:
Rather than assuming you already know why a student is struggling, collect information and remain open to discovering something unexpected.
Building Self-Awareness: Helping Students Understand Their Emotions
Main Takeaway:
Students need support recognizing their emotions, understanding how their bodies respond to stress, and communicating what they need.
Chyna’s Approach:
Chyna encourages teachers to model emotional awareness and use structured reflection tools. Students can learn to identify what happened, how they felt, who was affected, and what they can do differently next time.
Actionable Advice:
Teach Emotional Awareness: Help students recognize physical signs of emotions, such as tense shoulders, a racing heart, or a nervous stomach.
Use Restorative Reflection: Guide students through what happened, how they felt, how their actions affected others, and what they can do to repair the situation.
Offer Different Ways to Communicate: If students struggle to explain their feelings verbally, encourage them to write, draw, or use a feelings wheel.
Expert Insight:
Social skills and emotional regulation must be taught just like academic skills. With consistent modeling and practice, students can gradually become more independent in understanding and managing their emotions.
Calm-Down Breaks: Creating Spaces That Actually Work
Main Takeaway:
A calming corner is only effective when students know how and when to use it.
Chyna’s Strategy:
Chyna recommends introducing calming spaces early, modeling how to use them, and practicing calming strategies before students become overwhelmed.
Actionable Advice:
Teach the Routine: Show students how to use the calming space, practice deep breathing, and recognize when they need a break.
Set Clear Expectations: Explain how long the break will last and when you will check back in.
Maintain Accountability: Give students space to regulate while ensuring they return to learning when they are ready.
Expert Insight:
A calming corner should be more than a cute classroom decoration. When students understand how to use it, it becomes a practical tool for emotional regulation and classroom success.
Connect with Chyna Lynner
Want more special education resources and practical behavior strategies? Follow Chyna on social media at @especiallysped for ideas to support your students and strengthen your classroom practices.
Final Encouragement
If you're struggling to understand a student's behavior, remember that the behavior may be communicating something you haven't discovered yet. Instead of jumping to conclusions, ask questions, observe patterns, and give students opportunities to express what they need.
Your challenge this week: When a student struggles, pause before reacting and ask, “What's going on for you today? Tell me more.” Sometimes, that simple question can open the door to a better understanding and a stronger relationship.
For more episodes and resources, subscribe to “The Flip Side: Get Your Teach On" podcast.
