The Opinions and suggestions of teachers who work with children with mental retardation about the problem behaviors in their classes

Ill ABSTRACT The purpose of the present study was to analyze the opinions of special education teachers and teachers who had in service education about special education working with children with mental retardation about the problem behaviors they live in their classes and the solutions they try to find out in order to overcome the problem behaviors in their classes in Eskişehir. The study was designed descriptively and semi -structured interviews were conducted with 23 teachers and the interview data were analyzed quantitatively. The findings showed that teachers generally describe problem behavior as, not normal, which disturbs bath the child himself and his frends, which stops or delays the teaching activities. The findings also revealed that special education teachers face different problem behaviors in their classes. These behaviors were talking out without permission, disturbing class-mates, walking around without permission and etc. The teachers also mentioned that they use reinforcement and rewards, oral warning, ignoring and punishment in order to decrease problem behaviors in their classes. The teachers suggested their colleagues to use the most appropriate behavior management techniques and use them constantly and not to use punishment in their classes.