Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens With Down Syndrome: The Respond but Don't React Method

by David S. Stein

This is the revised edition of the acclaimed 2016 book by Dr. David Stein which has become the go-to guide for understanding behavior and Down syndrome. In this revised edition, the reader will learn that behavior issues are incredibly common in individuals with Down syndrome. If left unaddressed, these same challenges can continue into adulthood and limit the ability to live and work independently. This book guides readers through the unique ways in which the brains of people with Down syndrome develop, how that impacts behavior, and how to intervene. The book provides step-by-step directions for behavior management in an easy-to-read format with many examples.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Disability, Education

138 pages, Paperback

Published July 6, 2016

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic resource for parents AND educators. I first read this in 2018, and have referred to it several times since. I loan it to my daughter’s teachers at the start of every school year, and one school district has since purchased four copies.

The most valuable lesson this book teaches is how to respond without negative reaction to behaviors. It seems so simple but takes practice to execute effectively.

[Isabelle reads a book a day because she has no friends · Rating 5 out of 5]

The child with Down Syndrome you’re taking care of runs into the street. You yell for her to come back and frantically wave your arms. She thinks, “wow, this is REALLY getting a reaction out of them!” while never even registering the words you say. All she knows is that you’re excited about something and yelling—she doesn’t recall that it’s unsafe, but is encouraged to run into the street again because of the big reaction you gave her last time. You have learned from this, and the next time a similar event happens (such as a knife being pulled on you—true story), you remember the “respond, don’t react” method. It works like a charm and no sharp objects are thrust at you again.
This book greatly details how to approach behavioral difficulties in children with DS and was greatly applicable to my life in home care.

[Tine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een boek dat ons heel wat nieuwe inzichten bezorgde over hoe we kunnen omgaan met het vaak moeilijke gedrag van onze kleine jongen. Vele tips blijken nu al hun vruchten af te werpen. Blij dat we dit gelezen hebben!

[Debora H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in preparation for an IEP meeting. It was excellent. Stein was smart in his approach to his writing. He made the book short (132 pages). It is a doable read for busy, stressed, parents of a child with a disability. I learned so much about respond versus reaction.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a parent of an eight-year-old boy with Down syndrome, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is and will be an invaluable resource for our family for years to come, and it will probably become a teacher gift every year! Countless times I found myself reading aloud entire pages and paragraphs to my husband and saying, "He knows our son!" Stein's common sense approach to behavior management is very practical, and I'm grateful for the work he is doing!

[Jeanne Rosenzweig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read---very informative!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every parent of a child with Down Syndrome and every doctor, therapist or behaviorist that interacts with said child should read this book! It would save a lot of explanation for those that wish to believe behaviors are acted out to upset, rather than as a lack of expressive language and a communication that needs not being met.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I noticed that this book is always at the top of the list when people are asking for advice about behavior problems with their children that have Down Syndrome, so I got a copy. Dr. Stein does an excellent job of giving straightforward tips and strategies to help in working proactively with behavior while maintaining a good relationship. The biggest help for me was reading about how the brains of individuals with DS function differently than those of their typically developing peers. Of course I understand that Josh's brain is different, but this helped me to understand how those differences should help guide our handling of behaviors and understanding why they happen. So many times I've been unsure about what is developmentally appropriate for him as far as behaviors to address and how to address them, so this was invaluable. At the time of this first reading, Josh is almost 3 and I found myself already using some of the strategies and saw success in curbing some of the behaviors that we want to address. This book will stay on the bookshelf as a resource as we inevitably come to times when we need to address behavior issues.

[Julie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a 7-year-old daughter with Down syndrome, and I wish I would've read this book a few years ago; it would have saved me a lot of stress over some of her behaviors. It gives understanding to why certain behaviors happen, also how not reacting to these behaviors helps. So many valuable and practical ideas, along with real life examples of these ideas being implemented. Every person who cares for or works with children or teens with Down syndrome NEEDS to read this book, it is a game changer.

[Tricia Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I'll probably need to re-read many times during my daughter's lifetime...and one I will recommend to other parents whose kids have Down Syndrome. A quick read and very good advice on managing behavior, as well as insights into how brains of kids with DS tend to differ from brains of kids who are typically developing.

[Ame · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful guide with loads of proactive, positive endeavors when faced with challenging behavior. Didn't like a brief mention of Autism $peaks contained within, but otherwise it's a highly recommended read!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reviewed this book here: https://disabilityinlit.com/2017/01/0...

[Stacey Kimmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugely informative and helpful as a teacher.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource.

[Mike Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be excellent in better understanding my 17 year son with Down syndrome. I was amazed how much I read in the book was the exact behaviors my son was exhibiting including taking his clothes off. I highly recommend this book for parents of children with Down syndrome.

The way I came across this book was that it was referred to me by the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia (DSANV) which was lifesaver for me.

Best of luck with your special blessing which ALL children are.

[Cathy Herrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative perspective on the particular needs and presentation of individuals with Down Syndrome.

[Kaelyn Lombard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful and helpful! Thank you!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a daughter with DS. I read this book back when she was about 4 and have just re-read it when she was 5 for exact scenarios my daughter was acting out that were examples in the book.
I’ve consistently used their recommendations of praising good behavior and ignoring the bad and I feel we’ve done a good job being one step ahead of behavior issues - highly recommend this book for all parents of children with DS!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for parents of children with Down Syndrome. It has given us some great resources and solid plans for dealing with some common behavioral issues that my 4 year old is exhibiting. The section that explains how the brain of a child with DS functions differently from that of a typical child was eye opening and really helped us look at her behavior in a new light.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I began a new job working as a paraeducator, I purchased and read this book in order to get some ideas on responding to challenging behavior. I read the book in a day, and I began applying the techniques the very next time I worked. The book did a great deal to reframe my thinking and I’m still trying to perfect the “respond but don’t react” mindset, but overall it’s been a great help.

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, easy to read, and easy to implement. Clear presentation of both things I already knew and new info/perspectives. Will read again periodically.

[Philip Rohde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful book for anyone living with or working with children with behaviors. Relatively short read with lots of starting points for practice.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was helpful and provided insights into helping my child who has Down Syndrome.