Challenging Behavior

Module – Standard Learning Version

Challenging behavior is often more connected to mental health than to a learning disability itself. It can occur alongside conditions such as ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, or Anger, because these conditions affect how people think, feel, and behave.

Key Points

There is no excuse for harmful behavior. However, the difficulties a person faces can sometimes make it harder for them to behave differently.

For example, a person with Autism may become upset or anxious if something unexpected happens or if they struggle with a task.

This distress can lead to behaviors such as:

Hitting

Shouting

Throwing things

Getting angry at themselves or others

Such behavior can be dangerous to the person or to others.

Challenging behavior may also make it harder for someone to:

Make friends

Build relationships

Get along with peers, family, or staff

Autism, in particular, can increase anxiety and make social interaction more difficult. However, not all challenging behavior is caused by disability.

People can show both positive and negative behaviors. After incidents, individuals may feel guilty, ashamed, or upset — which can further affect their mental health.

What Can You Do?

If someone you know shows challenging behavior:

Encourage them, or their caregivers, to speak to a doctor or health professional.

A professional can assess underlying causes.

Support may include:

Mental health care

Behavioral therapy

Communication support

Environmental adjustments

Understanding and support are essential to help the person manage emotions and behavior safely.

For More Information

Challenging Behavior Foundation

Easy Read Version

Understanding Challenging Behavior

Challenging behavior is when someone acts in a way that may hurt themselves or others.

It is often linked to mental health or emotional distress, not just a learning disability.

Some people who may experience challenging behavior include those with:

Autism

ADHD

Anxiety

Anger difficulties

These conditions affect how people think and feel.

There Is No Excuse — But There Is a Reason

Harmful behavior is not acceptable.
But sometimes a person is struggling inside.

For example:

If plans change suddenly, an Autistic person may feel anxious or overwhelmed.

This may lead to:

Hitting

Shouting

Throwing things

Self-anger

This behavior can be dangerous.

How It Affects Life

Challenging behavior can make it harder to:

Make friends

Trust people

Build relationships

Afterwards, the person may feel:

Guilty

Sad

Embarrassed

This can affect mental health further.

What Can You Do?

If someone shows challenging behavior:

Stay calm

Try to understand the cause

Speak to a doctor or professional

Seek behavioral or mental health support

Understanding helps people feel safer and more supported.

PowerPoint Slide Version

Title Slide

🧠 Understanding Challenging Behavior
Easy Read Module

Slide 1 – What is Challenging Behavior?

Behavior that:

Puts the person or others at risk

Is hard to manage

May come from distress

Slide 2 – Linked Conditions

Challenging behavior may be seen in:

Autism

ADHD

Anxiety

Anger difficulties

These affect thinking, feelings, and reactions.

Slide 3 – Examples

Hitting

Shouting

Throwing objects

Self-directed anger

Slide 4 – Causes

Possible triggers include:

Anxiety

Change in routine

Pain or discomfort

Communication struggles

Slide 5 – Impact

Can affect:

Friendships

Relationships

Confidence

Mental health

Slide 6 – Support

Support may include:

Doctor or health professional

Behavioral therapy

Mental health care

Environmental adjustments

Slide 7 – Key Message

Understanding the cause helps reduce the behavior.

Support is more effective than punishment.

Quiz Version

🧠 Understanding Challenging Behavior – Quiz

Easy Read

Question 1

❓ What is challenging behavior?

A. Always aggressive
B. Puts people at risk ✅
C. Annoys staff
D. Difficult to understand

Question 2

❓ What can cause challenging behavior?

A. Pain
B. Trouble communicating
C. Change in routine
D. All of these ✅

Question 3

❓ What should you do first?

A. Punish them
B. Walk away
C. Understand the cause ✅
D. Shout

Question 4

❓ Which condition may include challenging behavior?

A. Autism ✅
B. Flu
C. Broken leg
D. None

Answer Sheet

1 — B
2 — D
3 — C
4 — A

Trainer / Teaching Notes

Module Aim

To help learners understand causes, triggers, and support strategies for challenging behavior.

Key Teaching Messages

Challenging behavior is often more connected to mental health than to a learning disability itself.

It can happen alongside conditions like ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, or Anger, because these affect how people think, feel, and behave.

Key Points:

There is no excuse for harmful behavior, but sometimes the difficulties a person faces make it harder to behave differently.

For example, a person with Autism might become upset or anxious if something unexpected happens or if they struggle with a task.

This can lead to behaviors like:

Hitting

Shouting

Throwing things

Getting angry at themselves or others

Such behavior can be dangerous to themselves or others.

Challenging behavior may make it harder for a person to make friends or get along with others.

Autism, in particular, can cause anxiety and make relationships difficult, though not all difficult behavior is caused by disability.

People can have both positive and negative behaviors, and challenging behavior can make them feel guilty or upset, which doesn’t help them feel better.

What Can You Do?

If someone you know has challenging behavior:

Encourage them or their caregivers to talk to a doctor or health professional.

The doctor can help find the right support, which might include mental health care or behavioral support.

Understanding and support are important to help the person manage their feelings and behavior.

For More Information:

Challenging Behavior Foundation

Title Slide:

🧠 Understanding Challenging Behavior – Quiz

Easy Read Version

Slide 1:

❓ What is Challenging behavior?

A. Always aggressive

B. Puts people at risk ✅

C. Annoys staff

D. Difficult to understand

Slide 4:

❓ What causes challenging behavior?

A. Pain

B. Trouble talking

C. Change in routine

D. All of these

Slide 5:

❓ What should you do first?

A. Punish them

B. Walk away

C. Understand the cause

D. Shout

Slide 6:

❓ Which condition may include challenging behavior?

A. Autism

B. Flu

C. Broken leg

D. None

Slide 7:

❓ What is Positive Behavior Support (PBS)?

A. A punishment

B. A way to stop talking

C. A way to help and understand

D. A list of rules

Thursday, 5 February 2026