Build your understanding of behavior as communication and learn to interpret the messages behind the actions. This book provides information and tools to support all children whose primary way to communicate is through challenging behaviors. The authors address what behaviors children use to communicate, what kinds of messages they may be sending, and how adults can ask six critical questions to better understand and meet children's needs.

Drawing from extensive experience in autism and speech pathology, the authors use accessible language to explain how central nervous system disabilities and hidden issues can affect a child's behavior and ability to communicate. They show how to create an improved learning environment and offer proactive strategies to support more acceptable behavioral alternatives.

Throughout the book, stories provide enlightening, sometimes humorous, examples of how children use behavior to communicate.