First, let’s define what it means for behavior to interfere with learning. This can look different depending on your child’s age, the school setting, and the type of challenges they face. Generally, behaviors that interfere with learning are those that:
- Prevent your child from focusing on classroom activities
- Hinder their ability to complete academic tasks
- Affect social interactions with peers or teachers
- Result in disciplinary actions, such as being sent to the office or frequent time-outs
- Lead to a decline in academic performance or motivation to participate in class
Behaviors that are disruptive might be obvious, such as talking out of turn, leaving their seat, or being overly active. However, other behaviors, like refusing to work on tasks, struggling to navigate peer relationships, plateauing with their organizational skills, or shutting down emotionally, can also interfere with learning.
If your child is not meeting academic expectations, or if teachers have expressed concerns, it’s important to investigate how behavior might be contributing. Academic success isn’t just about intelligence or effort—behavior plays a significant role in a child’s ability to access and engage with learning.
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Academic Performance and Behavior
When we talk about academic performance, we’re looking at how well your child can complete tasks, follow instructions, and engage in activities that promote learning. Behavior issues can surface as frequent interruptions, incomplete work, or an inability to stay on task. Teachers often have the first insight into these behaviors and may notice patterns over time. If your child is receiving lower grades than expected or if their work habits have changed, it’s worth discussing with their teachers to identify any behavioral factors at play.
Social Interaction and Behavior
Children’s ability to form relationships with peers and teachers is another important indicator of behavior concerns. If your child struggles to make friends, is frequently in conflict with classmates, or avoids social situations altogether, these may be signs that behavior is impacting their school experience. School isn’t just about academics—it’s also a critical place for children to develop social skills. Any behavior that disrupts this can have long-term effects on your child’s emotional development.
Typical Behavior vs. More Serious Concerns
It can be challenging to differentiate between typical childhood behaviors and those that require further attention. Every child acts out at times—whether they’re having a bad day or struggling with a particular situation. So, how do you know if it’s something more?
Typical behavior may include:
- Temporary outbursts of frustration or defiance
- Difficulty adjusting to new environments or routines
- Occasional refusal to complete tasks or follow directions
- Testing boundaries with authority figures or peers
These behaviors can be situational and short-lived, improving with time, structure, or consistent consequences. However, more serious concerns arise when behaviors become persistent, increase in intensity, or start to negatively affect learning and relationships.
Behavior that might signal a more serious concern includes:
- Frequent emotional outbursts or aggressive behaviors (e.g., hitting, biting, yelling)
- Difficulty maintaining attention or following through with tasks consistently
- Ongoing defiance or refusal to participate in classroom activities
- Isolation from peers, or severe anxiety about attending school
- Self-harm or expressions of hopelessness
If any of these behaviors sound familiar, it might be time to look more closely at the underlying causes and seek additional support from school staff or behavioral specialists.
Gathering Feedback from Teachers
Teachers and school staff spend a lot of time with your child, observing how they behave in different settings. They often have a unique perspective on what may be contributing to behavioral challenges and how those behaviors affect learning. Involving them in the conversation is an important first step in understanding the extent of the issue.
Talking to Teachers
Start by asking your child’s teacher about their observations. Some helpful questions include:
- Have you noticed any changes in my child’s behavior?
- Is my child’s behavior different from their peers?
- Are there specific times of day or subjects where behavior problems occur more frequently?
- How does my child interact with their peers?
Teachers may provide valuable insight into both academic and social behavior. For instance, your child may be struggling with group work but thriving in independent tasks. Understanding when and where these challenges occur can help you get a clearer picture of the behaviors that need attention.
Learn More About the Current Supports in Place
To understand your child’s needs better, it’s important to look into the supports available at school. Is your child in a classroom that uses tiered intervention supports? Start by exploring what Tier 1 looks like—this usually includes strategies that help all students, such as clear behavioral expectations, engaging lessons, and positive reinforcement. Ask for information about how your child responds to these supports. Are they participating actively in class, or are they still having difficulties? Collecting this information can help you determine if the current supports are effective for your child, if the current supports are adequate for all students, or if additional interventions are necessary.
- Be sure to gather information not only about your child’s behavior but also about the supports that have been implemented and how effective they are in promoting positive behavior changes. This comprehensive understanding will help you assess whether the current strategies are meeting your child’s needs.
- For more information on behavioral supports for all, refer to page 5 of TEA’s Technical Assistance Guide for Behavior Support
Next Steps: What to Do if Behavior Is a Concern
If you suspect your child’s behavior is interfering with their learning, the first step is to collaborate with the school team. Most schools have resources available, such as behavioral support plans, counseling services, or evaluations, to help identify the underlying issues.
For children with more significant behavior challenges, a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) may be necessary. This assessment allows professionals to observe and analyze your child’s behavior in various settings to determine its purpose (e.g., seeking attention, avoiding tasks). The results of an FBA can help develop a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) that outlines strategies and supports tailored to your child’s needs.
Additionally, if behavior concerns are impacting academic performance, it may be worth exploring whether your child qualifies for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan, which can provide additional accommodations and specialized instruction.
If you or the school team suspect that your child has a disability affecting their behavior, it’s important to pursue an evaluation. This evaluation can help identify specific areas of eligibility for specialized instruction, ensuring your child receives the support they need to succeed.
If your child does not qualify for special education, your child’s campus will still need to develop a plan to support your child’s behavioral needs. Usually, this just means they can not access special education staff to develop a plan or work with your child. Find out how your school district addresses behavioral needs outside of special education supports by emailing your campus administrator and asking for additional information.
More from this guide
Recognizing the Signs: When Is Behavior a Concern?
Explore how to identify when your child’s behavior interferes with learning and the common signs to watch for in school.
Why Behavior Happens: Understanding the Function of Behavior
Learn about the reasons behind challenging behaviors and how school environments can contribute to these issues.
Data Collection: The First Step Toward Behavior Support
Understand the types of data schools should collect about your child’s behavior and how this information informs IEP decisions.
Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP): What They Are and How They Help
Discover what a BIP entails, its key components, and how it supports your child’s behavioral needs.
Collaborating With Your IEP Team: Advocating for Your Child’s Behavior Needs
Find out how to effectively partner with your IEP team and ask the right questions about behavior supports.
When to Seek Outside Support: Behavior Analysts and Advocacy
Learn when to involve behavior analysts or advocates and how they can enhance your child’s school experience.
Long-Term Success: Tracking Progress and Adjusting Plans Over Time
Explore methods for monitoring progress, making necessary adjustments, and planning for transitions in your child’s education.
