CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR

Dealing with challenging behaviour



Dealing with challenging behaviour

Introduction

Challenging behaviours are such behaviours that cause difficulties and problems to others. Usually, children or adults having learning disability possess some challenging behaviours that are also termed as problematic or difficult behaviours and they are not easy to control. Some of the challenging behaviours include the expressions of aggression, self injury, destruction and other behaviours. The person who shows the challenging behaviour might involve in the actions such as hitting, head banging, throwing objects to others or running away etc. the safety and protection of the people are compromised sometimes due to the challenging behaviours of people. They can hold their own lives at risk as well as endangers the lives of other people. The behaviour is practiced on a daily or routine basis which poses strong negative impacts on the everyday life of the person. This paper discusses the definition of challenging behaviour, the actions and practices of people involved in challenging behaviours, the stance of OFSTED and other leading authorities regarding challenging behaviour, challenging behaviour within the school settings, extent of challenging behaviours in schools and characteristics of learners that show challenging behaviours in schools. It also provides alternatives for dealing with the challenging behaviour through the identification, management and improvement of school policies and effective learning and teaching strategies. A muti agency approach has been incorporated in the paper to provide the suggestions for dealing with challenging behaviour. Some of the effective strategies of dealing with challenging behaviour have also been analyzed in the paper. The criminological perspective has also been addressed in the paper.

Main Aims and Objectives

The aim of the paper is to discuss strategies and practices that help in dealing with the challenging behaviour of those who exhibits it. Some of the objectives of the paper are provided as follows.

To understand the meaning of challenging behaviour

To determine the extent to which challenging behaviour is present in school settings

To provide alternatives for dealing with the challenging behaviour

To evaluate the effective strategies in dealing with challenging behaviour

To address the criminological perspective of challenging behaviour

Definition of Challenging Behaviour

Challenging behaviour can be defined as a behaviour that is considered to be culturally abnormal attitude of such a frequency, intensity and duration that the physical protection and safety of the person and others is placed in a serious risk (Emerson, 2001). It is an action possessed by such children and adult who suffer from learning disabilities. Sometimes, the learning disability is severe as a result of developmental issues or disability. They individuals having learning disability have limited or no speech or communication and they behave in a certain manner during different situations. The people suffering from reduced ability of learning cannot learn new behaviours and skills and thus, they perform in a manner that becomes challenging behaviour. They require support and help of others in daily routine activities such as eating and dressing up.

The office for standards in services of children, skills and education (Ofsted) has defined challenging ...