🛑 What is Challenging Behaviour?
Challenging behaviour is behaviour that:
- Is hard to manage
- May harm the person or others
- Interferes with learning or daily life
👉 It is often a form of communication
📘 Examples of Challenging Behaviour
- Aggression (hitting, biting)
- Self-injury (head banging)
- Screaming or shouting
- Refusing to follow instructions
- Damaging property
🧠 The Four Functions of Behaviour
Most behaviour happens for a reason:
💬 Attention
👉 To get attention from others
🏃 Escape
👉 To avoid something difficult
🎁 Access
👉 To get something (toy, food, activity)
🔊 Sensory
👉 To feel calm or stimulated
📘 EXPLAINER BOX – BEHAVIOUR FUNCTION
The four functions are:
- Attention
- Escape
- Access
- Sensory
👉 Every behaviour has a reason
🏗️ Prevention is Key
Preventing behaviour is better than reacting to it.
💡 Strategies include:
- Clear routines
- Structured environments
- Clear instructions
- High-quality teaching
🛠️ Proactive Strategies
- Pre-correction (reminding before problems happen)
- Giving choices
- Positive reinforcement
- Behaviour-specific praise
👉 Example:
“I like how you stayed calm”
🔄 Replacement Behaviours
👉 Teach a better way to get the same need met
Example:
- Instead of shouting → teach asking for help
🧑⚕️ Response Strategies
When behaviour happens:
- Stay calm
- Be consistent
- Use clear communication
- Redirect behaviour
🧠 Understanding Root Causes
Challenging behaviour can be linked to:
- Trauma
- Stress
- Developmental needs
- Sensory needs
- Learning difficulties
👉 Always look at the reason behind the behaviour
🌿 Teaching Pyramid Framework
A support system includes:
- Positive relationships
- Social-emotional teaching
- Targeted support
- Individualised intervention
💚 Strengths to Build On
Even when behaviour is challenging, individuals can:
- Learn new skills
- Build positive relationships
- Improve communication
- Respond well to support
👉 Strengths should always be recognised
⚠️ If Behaviour is Not Supported
It may lead to:
- Reduced learning
- Lower confidence
- Exclusion (suspension or expulsion)
- Increased stress
🌐 Useful Organisations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Positive Behavior Support Corporation
- Mencap
🧠 EASY READ VERSION
🧠 What is Challenging Behaviour?
Behaviour that is hard to manage
👉 It is a way of communicating
💬 Examples
- Hitting
- Screaming
- Refusing
- Breaking things
🧩 Why Does Behaviour Happen?
- To get attention
- To escape something
- To get something
- For sensory reasons
💡 How to Help
- Have clear routines
- Give choices
- Stay calm
- Praise good behaviour
🔄 Teach New Skills
Help the person:
- Ask for help
- Use words or pictures
- Show feelings safely
💚 Key Message
👉 Behaviour has a reason
👉 It is communication
📝 QUIZ – STANDARD VERSION
1. What is challenging behaviour?
👉 Behaviour that is difficult and affects daily life
2. What are the four functions of behaviour?
👉 Attention, Escape, Access, Sensory
3. True or False: Behaviour is always “bad”
❌ False
4. What should we teach instead of stopping behaviour?
👉 Replacement behaviours
5. Name one strategy
👉 Positive reinforcement / routines / praise
📌 FINAL KEY MESSAGE
- Behaviour is communication
- Every behaviour has a reason
- Support helps people learn better ways to communicate
- Understanding reduces stress and improves outcomes
- With the right support, people can thrive
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