Challenging Behaviour
- 1. Causes of Challenging Behaviour
- 2. Causes Causes of challenging behaviour There are many different reasons why a person may behave in a challenging or difficult way: Physical Causes Environmental Causes Trauma Communication Learnt behaviour
- 3. Causes Physical causes – Individuals may be experiencing pain but be unable to communicate this. They may engage in challenging behaviour as a way of showing they are in discomfort. Physical complaints such as urine tract infections and diabetes may also cause people to behave in ways that may present a challenge.
- 4. Causes Environmental causes – Individuals with autism are particularly sensitive to their surroundings and may become distressed by small changes to their environment; other individuals may respond to unstimulating environments by being challenging. Other changes such as moving house or a key worker leaving may also have a negative impact on someone with learning disabilities.
- 5. Causes Trauma – Challenging behaviour may be a response to a trauma the individual has experienced, for example bereavement or abuse. People with learning disabilities are also often stigmatised and experience bullying. If they are unable to communicate their feelings about this they may respond with challenging behaviour.
- 6. Causes Communication – Almost all people with learning disabilities have communication difficulties. Frustration and an inability to get their needs met may lead to challenging behaviour. It is important to know what an individual understands and to match your communication style to this. It is also vital to help people communicate, through signs and symbols where appropriate.
- 7. Causes Learnt behaviour – Individuals may learn that by using challenging behaviour they are able to get their needs met. For example, if a person cannot speak or sign they may find it difficult to get help from staff and they may discover that challenging behaviour is one way to get their help. At times, challenging behaviours may also help them to gain other activities or to avoid tasks/situations that the individual may not wish to be involved in. It is worth thinking about and exploring the above possibilities when working with or caring for someone with challenging behaviour.