Challenging behaviour is defined as "culturally abnormal behaviour(s) of such intensity, frequency or duration that the physical safety of the person or others is placed in serious jeopardy, or behaviour which is likely to seriously limit or deny access to the use of ordinary community facilities" ^[1]. Behavior or behaviour refers to the actions or reactions of an object or organism, usually in relation to the environment. ... Warning signs, such as this one, can improve safety awareness. ...

Challenging behaviour is most often exhibited by people with developmental disabilities, dementia, psychosis and by children, although such behaviours can be displayed by any person. Mental retardation (abbreviated as MR), is a term for a pattern of persistently slow learning of basic motor and language skills (milestones) during childhood, and a significantly below-normal intellectual capacity as an adult. ... For other uses, see Dementia (disambiguation). ... Psychosis (not to be confused with psychopathy) is a generic psychiatric term for a mental state in which thought and perception are severely impaired. ... A male Caucasian toddler child A child (plural: children) is a young human. ...

Types of challenging behavior

Common types of challenging behaviour include self-injurious behaviour (such as hitting, headbutting, biting), aggressive behaviour (such as hitting others, screaming, spitting, kicking), inappropriate sexualised behaviour (such as public masturbation or groping), behaviour directed at property (such as throwing objects and stealing) and stereotyped behaviours (such as repetitive rocking, echolalia or elective incontinence). Self-harm (SH) is deliberate injury to ones own body. ... Aggression is sometimes used to intimidate and coerce during extremely rigorous physical training. ... This article is about sex acts and practices (i. ... Property damage is damage or destruction done to public or private property, caused either by a person who is not its owner or by natural phenomena. ... Echolalia is the repetition or echoing of verbal utterances made by another person. ...

Causes of challenging behavior

Challenging behaviour may be caused by a number of factors, including biological (pain, medication, the need for sensory stimulation), social (attention-seeking, the need for control, lack of knowledge of community norms), environmental (physical aspects such as noise and lighting, or gaining access to preferred objects or activities) or simply a means of communication. A lot of the time, challenging behaviour is learned and brings rewards and desired outcomes, and it is very often possible to teach people new behaviours to achieve the same aims. A common principle in behavior management is looking for the message an individual is communicating through their challenging behavior. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The social environment is the direct influence of a group of individuals and their contributions to this environment, as both groups and individuals who are in frequent communication with each other within their cultural or socio-economical strata, which create role identity(-ies) and guide the individuals self (sociology...

Behavior response cycle

Challenging behaviors may be viewed as occurring in a cycle:

• Trigger
• Escalation
• Crisis
• Recovery

Analysis of this cycle provides a foundation for using a variety of strategies to minimize the triggers of challenging behavior, teach more appropriate behaviors in response to these triggers, or provide consequences to the challenging behavior that will encourage a more appropriate response. Behavioral strategies such as Applied Behavior Analysis, operant conditioning and Positive behavior support use similar approaches to analyzing and responding to challenging behaviors. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a systematic process of studying and modifying observable behavior through a manipulation of the environment. ... Operant conditioning is the modification of behavior brought about over time by the consequences of said behavior. ...

Notes

1. ^ Emerson, E. 1995. Challenging behaviour: analysis and intervention with people with learning difficulties. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

See also

• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Operant conditioning
• Positive behavior support

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a systematic process of studying and modifying observable behavior through a manipulation of the environment. ... Operant conditioning is the modification of behavior brought about over time by the consequences of said behavior. ...

External links

• Challenging behavior in young children Challenging behavior: understanding, preventing, and responding effectively to children’s problems
• Behavioral strategies and developmental disorders Fact sheets on managing behavioral problems arising from Autistic Spectrum Disorders
• Center for Evidence-Based Practice: Young Children with Challenging Behavior Raise the awareness and implementation of positive, evidence-based practices in managing challenging behaviors