Managing challenging behaviour

Understanding and responding to your child's behaviour is an essential aspect of parenting, especially for children with additional needs. This guide provides practical insights into managing behaviours, recognising communication cues, setting boundaries, and seeking support.

Children communicate their feelings through behavior, which can vary based on age, understanding, experiences, and personality. Behaviour is a way of conveying emotions and needs, and deciphering its meaning takes time and observation.


What causes changing behaviour?

Behaviour changes can stem from various factors, such as:

• Family challenges or transitions, like starting school or parental conflicts.
• The need for routines, boundaries, and structured daily activities.
• Sensory sensitivities to certain noises, smells, or situations.

While it's common to link behaviour to a condition or diagnosis, it's important to consider other causes like worries, frustration, tiredness, hunger, or pain.


Managing challenging behaviour

Handling challenging behaviour requires patience and adaptability. Some tips that you can tailor to your situation include:

• Establish consistent routines to create familiarity and expectations.
• Keep a behaviour diary to identify triggers and patterns, something that Heba can help with.
• In the context of tantrums, give them space to cool down, reassure them and encourage communication when they’re calm.
• Help your child express emotions using simple language, cues, or signs.
• Encourage physical activity and play to alleviate stress.
• Focus on positive instructions and be a calming presence.
• Be patient; it may take time for new responses to develop.
• Prioritise self-care to manage your own emotions.

How to respond to challenging behaviour?

It can be difficult to know how to respond in these situations. If possible, remember to:

• Keep your own voice calm and low if your child is distressed.
• Allow your child time to cool down and express their feelings.
• Stay consistent with boundaries and routines.
• Focus on a few essential rules for safety and clarity.
• Use family rules and discuss them with your child.
• Stay patient and realistic; behaviour change takes time.

Seeking Support

Don't hesitate to ask for help - you’re certainly not the first parent in this situation and help is available:

• Share strategies with others involved in your child's care.
• Look for guidance from friends, other parents, or professionals.
• Join parent support groups for shared experiences.
• Consider specialist classes, either online or local to you, or professionals for tailored assistance.

Show your child the behaviour you'd like to see by doing it yourself. Don't forget to take care of yourself too – managing your own feelings is important. Join support groups and lean on friends and family for help. Dealing with challenging behaviour takes time and teamwork. Be understanding, and stay consistent to create a positive environment for your child