Using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to teach appropriate classroom behaviour to students with developmental disabilities

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) focuses on the way in which a child interprets his or her experiences and how these thoughts ultimately influence his or her emotional or behavioural functioning in the situation (Friedberg & McClure, 2002). When teachers use CBT principles in the classroom, they can help their students learn how to modify their thinking, so that they can control the way they behave. Participants will learn about the Taking CHARGE toolbelt (Bhargava, 2014) which is based on the principles of CBT. The Taking CHARGE toolbelt is a concept that can be easily incorporated into the classroom and used by all students to develop their social skills, emotional regulation skills, problem solving skills and engage in appropriate behaviour.