Reacting Vs Responding to Behaviour | Dave Smallwood

In this episode, Clare talks to Dave Smallwood, Principal Team Teach trainer and Director at SENse Training and Consultancy. They discuss the difference between reacting and responding to behaviour, and how the culture and ethos of a setting influence our ability to empathise with and support the individuals in our care.

Dave has worked in special schools, for both the local authority and the National Autistic Society. As a staff development co-ordinator for the latter, he has developed and delivered training in autism, and equality, diversity and rights.

He also shares three tips during the episode:

Take a breath before deciding on a response. Giving yourself the opportunity to pause and think increases the likelihood of a more positive outcome.

Look past the behaviour you see, and instead focus on what the individual is really trying to communicate through their behaviour.

Ultimately, the only person whose behaviour we can truly control or change is our own, and it’s our response that can alter the course of events.

The Team Teach podcast shares the latest thinking in behaviour, all in handy 15-minute (ish) bite-sized chunks. Each episode features a new guest chatting about a different aspect of behaviour and leaves you with three handy tips to use in your setting.