Types and Examples of Challenging/Distressed Behaviour
Understanding challenging behaviour, or behaviour that challenges, is a complex yet vital aspect of our interactions. Behaviour that challenges refers to actions that may pose difficulties in personal, social, or educational settings. It can vary widely and may stem from various factors such as emotional distress, communication difficulties, or unmet needs. By exploring the different types and examples of challenging behaviour, we can gain valuable insights into approaching and addressing people’s lives. Only through empathy, effective strategies, and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approaches can we strive for positive outcomes.
Challenging Behaviour Definition
Challenging behaviour refers to actions exhibited by individuals, particularly people with learning disabilities and learning difficulties, which can be challenging to manage or understand. For people with severe learning disabilities, expressing themselves through challenging behaviours might be their way of communicating their needs or emotions. Also, people with brain-related challenges, such as dementia, frequently display challenging behaviour. It’s essential to recognise that challenging behaviours are not inherently negative but often stem from an underlying cause. Understanding challenging behaviour requires a compassionate and patient approach, delving into the root cause rather than merely reacting. By promoting positive behaviours and fostering a supportive environment, carers can create a safe space for people to express themselves more constructively, ultimately improving their overall well-being.
When experiencing challenging behaviour, especially a younger child with learning disabilities, it’s crucial to remember that these actions are their primary means of communication. The child might not have the verbal or cognitive abilities to express themselves conventionally, leading to frustration or confusion. Carers and educators must look beyond the challenging behaviours and try to interpret the underlying message being conveyed.
Types of Challenging Behaviour
We all know that each individual is unique, and our actions and reactions can be quite diverse. Challenging behaviour can manifest in various forms, impacting both the individual and those around them. For children, these behaviours can stem from multiple factors, and when a child’s behaviour becomes challenging, it can indicate underlying hardships they might encounter. Early warning signs, such as frequent outbursts or withdrawal from social interactions, may indicate the need for understanding and support.
Recognising and addressing the challenging behaviour early on can significantly improve the child’s quality of life and overall well-being, allowing them to manage their emotions and develop healthier communication skills.
To understand challenging behaviour, we must be more socially accepting and mindful of the mental health challenges and needs people experience. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss some examples of challenging behaviour:
Physical Aggression
Physical aggression involves using forceful actions that can hurt others, like hair pulling, throwing things at people, hitting, punching, or slapping. Sometimes, these actions become a learned behaviour and can be displayed by people with learning disabilities as a way to fulfil needs when individuals know that these actions might draw social attention or help them escape from a situation.
These behaviours can cause significant physical harm and are typically driven by strong emotions such as anger or frustration, leading to poorer quality of life. Finding healthier ways to cope with these feelings and communicate needs without resorting to violence is essential, fostering a safer and more compassionate environment for everyone.
Verbal Aggression
Verbal aggression is when someone communicates in a challenging way, using offensive language, screaming, shouting, making threats or using abusive speech. This kind of behaviour often involves repetitive speech and can seriously create difficulties in social interactions and the development of healthy social skills.
It poses a significant risk to relationships, leading to conflicts and emotional harm. Addressing and managing verbal aggression effectively helps to reduce challenging behaviour and promotes behaviour management to become the central practice with a focus on a more harmonious and respectful environment for everyone involved.
Self-Harm Behaviour
Self-injurious behaviour refers to any actions that lead to individuals causing harm to themselves physically. Individuals with severe learning disabilities may exhibit various examples of such behaviour, including eye-poking, hair-pulling, hand-biting, head-banging, and skin-picking.
When an adult or young child engages in self-injurious behaviour, they experience an internal conflict, trying to cope with overwhelming feelings. This challenging behaviour can be distressing for both the individual and their family members, who often feel helpless in understanding and supporting their loved ones. However, it’s crucial to remember that self-harming is not a sign of weakness but a manifestation of inner unease.
Self-harm behaviour always has underlying reasons. Both family members and carers have various approaches to address such behaviour in individuals:
• Analyse the possibility of pain as a contributing cause.
• Provide instruction in good communication skills to help the person express themselves better.
• Prioritise the safety of the individual.
• Seek guidance from a behavioural specialist to gain further insights and assistance.
In a school or care-at-home setting, carers must approach and behave with extra compassion and dedication. Encouraging open dialogue and providing a safe space to express emotions can be the first step in helping individuals recognise their own behaviour and emotions.
Disruptive Behaviour
Disruptive behaviour refers to actions or conduct that can disrupt the learning environment and negatively impact the environment. It includes various behaviours like being out-of-seat, calling out in class, and experiencing unbalanced tempers, which can distract and make it difficult for everyone involved. Additionally, swearing, screaming, or refusing to follow instructions can create tension and impact the learning process for everyone.
In more severe cases, disruptive behaviour may manifest as inappropriate sexual behaviour. This behaviour puts many young people and adults in uncomfortable social interactions. Managing disruptive behaviour requires a compassionate approach, positive behaviour support, and an understanding of the underlying reason behind such actions. Carers can help find appropriate ways to redirect and support individuals to foster a positive and harmonious environment.