What is Challenging Behaviour

Challenging behaviour refers to any actions or conduct that interfere with a person's ability to participate in normal daily activities or interactions.

It can appear across a wide spectrum, ranging from mild to severe, and can vary greatly depending on individual circumstances, environment, and other underlying factors.

What is Challenging Behaviour

Challenging behaviour encompasses a broad range of actions that are disruptive, harmful, or socially inappropriate that cause harm to others and/or affect the person’s wellbeing and quality of life. This behaviour can include verbal or physical aggression, self-injury, noncompliance, property destruction, tantrums, and disruptive behaviours in social settings. These behaviours may be intentional or unintentional, and they can occur for a variety of reasons, including communication difficulties, sensory issues, emotional distress, or a lack of appropriate coping skills.

Spectrum and Manifestations:

Challenging behaviour can manifest differently in different individuals and situations. It may be more pronounced in individuals with certain developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or intellectual disabilities. However, challenging behaviour is not limited to individuals with specific diagnoses and can occur in people of all ages and backgrounds.

Manifestations of challenging behaviour can vary widely and may include:

Physical Aggression: This can include physical aggression, such as hitting, kicking, and/or biting.

Self-injury: Some individuals engage in behaviours that cause harm to themselves, such as head-banging, scratching, or biting themselves. Behaviours may also include wandering/leaving without supports, repetitive or stereotypic movements.

Noncompliance: Refusal to follow directions, rules, or requests from authority figures can be a form of challenging behaviour.

Property destruction: Individuals may intentionally damage or destroy objects, furniture, or belongings, either their own or others'.

Verbal aggression: Outbursts of anger, frustration, or distress, often accompanied by crying, screaming, or physical outbursts. May also include threats of harm to self or others.

Why do People Display Challenging Behaviour?

People may display challenging behaviour for various reasons, including, gaps in functional capacity (daily living) skills and knowledge, difficulty communicating their needs or emotions, experiencing sensory overload or discomfort, lacking appropriate coping skills, feeling overwhelmed by environmental demands or changes, or experiencing underlying physical or mental health issues. Challenging behaviour can also result from unmet needs, such as for attention, autonomy, or sensory stimulation, or as a response to stress, anxiety, or frustration. Understanding the individual's unique circumstances, triggers, and underlying factors is essential for effectively addressing and managing challenging behaviour.

Approaches to Addressing Challenging Behaviour

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS): Positive Behaviour Support focuses on identifying and reinforcing desired behaviours while minimising or eliminating the triggers and consequences of challenging behaviour. This approach emphasises proactive strategies such as creating supportive environments, teaching alternative skills, and using positive reinforcement to encourage appropriate behaviour. PBS aims to enhance quality of life by promoting autonomy, dignity, and social inclusion.

Consider choosing Scope services for a comprehensive range of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) services.

Behavioural Interventions: Behavioural interventions involve the use of evidence-based techniques that have been created based on principles of applied behaviour analysis (ABA) to modify challenging behaviour. These interventions typically involve identifying antecedents (triggers), understanding the function or purpose of the behaviour, and implementing targeted strategies to teach alternative behaviours or reduce the occurrence of challenging behaviour through reinforcement, shaping, prompting, and other behaviour modification techniques.

Holistic Approaches: Holistic approaches to addressing challenging behaviour recognise the interconnectedness of various factors influencing behaviour, including physical, emotional, social, and environmental aspects. These approaches emphasise a comprehensive understanding of the individual's needs, strengths, preferences, and challenges. Holistic interventions may incorporate a range of strategies, including sensory regulation techniques, communication support, social skills training, mindfulness practices, nutritional support, and collaboration with families, caregivers, and multidisciplinary professionals to promote overall well-being and functioning.

Tools to Help Challenging Behaviour

Scope Australia is an organisation committed to supporting individuals with disabilities to live fulfilling and inclusive lives. Here's how the Scope Australia foundation can help and the specific support it offers:

• Support for Individuals with Disabilities: Scope Australia provides a range of services tailored to the needs of individuals with disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, and complex communication needs. These services aim to enhance independence, social inclusion, and overall well-being.
• Family Support: The foundation offers support services for families of individuals with disabilities, providing information, guidance, and emotional support to navigate the challenges and opportunities associated with disability. This includes assistance with accessing relevant resources, understanding rights and entitlements, and connecting with peer support networks.
• Therapy and Intervention Programs: Scope Australia delivers therapy and intervention programs designed to address the unique needs and goals of individuals with disabilities. These programs may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, behaviour support, and other specialised interventions to promote skill development, communication, and independence.
• Assistive Technology and Equipment: Scope Australia assists individuals with disabilities in accessing and utilising assistive technology and equipment to enhance their ability to communicate, access information, and participate in daily activities. This may include communication devices, mobility aids, adapted computers, and sensory equipment tailored to individual needs.
• Education and Training: The foundation offers education and training programs for individuals with disabilities, families, caregivers, and professionals working in the disability sector. These programs aim to build knowledge, skills, and confidence in supporting individuals with disabilities effectively, promoting inclusion, and understanding rights and advocacy.
• Employment Support: Scope Australia provides support and resources to help individuals with disabilities access meaningful employment opportunities, develop vocational skills, and navigate the workplace environment. This may include job coaching, skill development programs, supported employment placements, and assistance with workplace accommodations.
• Advocacy and Awareness: Scope Australia advocates for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities at a systemic level, working to influence policy, promote legislative changes, and raise awareness about disability issues within society. The foundation also engages in community education initiatives to challenge stereotypes, promote inclusion, and foster greater understanding and acceptance of diversity.

Accessibility and Assistance Provided:

Scope Australia ensures that its services and resources are accessible to individuals with disabilities, employing inclusive practices and accommodations to remove barriers to participation. This may include providing information in alternative formats (such as braille or easy-read), offering accessible facilities and communication options, and accommodating individual needs and preferences to ensure equal access to support and opportunities.

By employing evidence-based strategies, providing comprehensive support services, and advocating for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities, organisations like Scope Australia play crucial roles in enhancing the quality of life and promoting inclusion for individuals with challenging behaviour and disabilities.