Behaviors Are Signals, Not Problems

In a radical departure from behavior-focused interventions, Greene reveals that concerning behaviors—whether hitting, screaming, or withdrawing—are merely communication signals indicating a child is having difficulty meeting certain expectations. The behaviors themselves aren't the problem; they're valuable data pointing to specific unsolved problems. Greene emphasizes: 'What those behaviors are telling us is that your child is having difficulty meeting certain expectations.' This insight transforms every meltdown from a disciplinary issue into diagnostic information. When parents complete the ALSUP (Assessment of Lagging Skills & Unsolved Problems), they often discover their child has dozens of specific, predictable triggers—from 'difficulty transitioning from video games' to 'difficulty sharing toys with siblings.' By focusing on solving these underlying problems rather than punishing the surface behaviors, parents address root causes instead of endlessly managing symptoms.