Challenging behavior - Literature review Example

?Challenging behavior al affiliations Introduction The development of a child is characterized by many aspects which influence his life very much. The behavior of a child will vary in different circumstances, and the child will develop different in these circumstances. According to Lee2011, the behavior of a child is the simplest to control but once it gets out of hand, it may never be reinstated to normality. A child may develop different behaviors at different ages but the challenging behavior is most vital since it needs to be controlled as early as possible. Most people believe that the success of a child will depend on his ability to respond to prevention of challenging behaviors. Children who Challenging behavior is an abnormal behavior whose frequency, occurrence and duration greatly jeopardize the physical safety of the victim and that of other around him. This behavior in most cases denies the person access to ordinary social and communal facilities .Challenging behavior could be demonstrated by any person, but is mostly experienced in people with developmental disabilities, dementia, and psychosis and most often by children (Kaiser, 2007, p.13) Types of challenging behaviors Challenging behavior can manifest itself in different ways depending on the nature of the child. Calm children will react very different from violent children even under the same circumstances. The most important thing is that the children will react negatively to those people who cause their problems. A common characteristic is self injuring behavior especially when a child is angry. This involves engaging in behaviors that cause physical harm or injuries to oneself. Most children will do this immediately they are offended in order to seek for attention. For example hitting oneself, biting oneself or even head butting. Most children develop aggressive behavior towards those people who influence them to develop a challenging behavior. This involves all behavior that harms others physically. They include hitting others, biting others, spitting on others, screaming, punching and kicking others among others (Emerson, 1995, p.24) Some children engage in early sexual behavior to express their feelings about some things. This includes all acts of abnormal behavior involving sexual acts. For example public masturbation, rape, and watching pornographic materials. Property directed behavior theory. In this theory, the behavior of the child is believed to cause destruction to property around the person. The reaction of the child is linked to the It includes throwing of objects, physical destruction and even stealing (Emerson, 2011, p.32) Theories of challenging behaviors Challenging behavior has various causes, most of which are beyond the control of the individual exhibiting the behavior. These could be social, biological, environmental or psychological among others. Social cause theory: this theory holds that the behavior of a child is attributed by the society in which he is brought up. These are the social interactions with other people, friends and relatives. This is based on the theory that behaviors are enhanced and influenced by observation on others actions and behaviors. Boredom, social interaction and social norms could trigger certain type of behaviors in people. Peer groups could also influence one to develop certain abnormal behaviors. The children will adopt the behaviors that are common in a certain society. A society that does not condemn a challenging behavior will encourage the children to be unruly. (David, 1974, p.53) Biological causes theory. This theory is based on the theory that behavior results from biological and biochemical processes. Conditions such as pain and certain medication may cause challenging behaviors. Certain inherited characteristics from parents also influence behavior. The child learns most of the behaviors from their parents. The parents should avoid acting in a manner that predisposes the children to a challenging behavior. The obligations of the parents are to punish and guide their children when they notice any form of challenging behavior. Cognitive causes: This explains behavior as a product of mental processes and modified by memory. Challenges and cultural believes and expectations could also lead to particular behaviors. Mental problems is also a major cause of challenging behaviors among people especially children. (John, 1967, p.35) Humanistic behavioral theory: This explains that behavior is developed from free will and self-made choices. These choices could be determined by personal interests, tastes and preferences. The behavior of an individual is determined by the individual based on the impact he/she wants to come out. The children will develop different behaviors to suite their needs or prevent others from achieving certain goals. Psychoanalytic causes: Sigmud Freud focuses on internal conscious mental processes, motives and desires that may explain behavior (Sterne, 2002, p.67). The thoughts of a child will lead him/her in doing certain things which appears to be right. Once a child develop a habit in doing these things, it will be very difficult to change it. It is very difficult to change the thinking of a child who has developed a certain behavior. Causes of challenging behavior There are many causes that have been linked to challenging behaviors amongst most children. First, the unmet needs of the children are major cause of opposition and resistance from them. Children’s physiological and psycho-sociological needs must be met, otherwise problematic behavior arise. The children will adopt certain behaviors until when their needs are met. Another significant cause of challenging behaviors amongst the children is Poverty. Children coming from poor homes are likely to be taunted and called names by other children referring to their torn clothes and inability to have things like them. The children feel offended by their parents since they do not match with children form the rich families. The environment of up bring especially School practices such as failure to cater for individual differences, autocratic control, humiliating pupils in public, use of labels on pupils and teachers’ competence may result in a child’s unwholesome (Roffey, 2002, p.81). Most children will adopt the behaviors of those children they like being associated with. There is a very great influence amongst the children from the same school. It has been revealed that most of the children from the same school tend to behave in the same manner. Broken homes have been pointed out as the main cause of challenging behavior of children who come from these families. These conditions make children feel very insecure. Such homes produce children who are nervous, unhappy and who are likely to show behavior problems. The children have nobody to care and guide them, and as a result they do anything that makes them feel comfortable. Personal inadequacies and inferiority complex make some children develop a challenging behavior. Sometimes a pupil may feel inadequate when he is not able to carry out responsibilities that are expected of him. Such pupils experience frustration and tend to feel inferior and unhappy. These children will try to outdo other children by engaging in negative behaviors. (Tsakanikos, 2011, p.30) Behavior Modification A challenging behavior may be modified through several means to reinstate it into a normal behavior. Punishment of the child involved in a negative behavior is very crucial. punishing someone for a particular wrong did may decreases the future occurrence of that behavior. He may avoid repeating the same to avoid such a punishment in future. The behavior may also be modified through behavior contracting that involves entering into an agreement with the child bearing the challenging behavior re he accepts that the behavior was wrong and promises not to repeat the same again. The child may require reinforcement in order to rectify the behavior. Reinforcement is a consequence of behavior which increases the future occurrences of this behavior.eg rewarding. This is done to encourage good behaviors and hard work among children. This enhances positive competition among individuals. According to Stenfert 1997, a challenging behavior may also be modified through extinction. This means that the child will not be granted the rewards he/she expects in performing a certain action. References Barry W. Lavay, Ron French, Hester L. Henderson: positive behavior management in physical activity setting, 2’nd B edition David A. Koib (1974) Changing human behavior, USA Douglas, J. (1998). Behaviour problems in Young Children: Assessment and Management. London: Tavistock/Routledge. Dowling, M (2010) Young Children’s Personal, Social and Emotional Development. Sage Emerson, E.(1995) Challenging Behaviour: Analysis and Intervention in People with Severe Learning Disabilities. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Emerson, E., & Einfeld, S     (2011, 3rd edition) Challenging Behaviour Cambridge University Press Gargiulo, R. (2010) Special Education in Contemporary Society. London. Sage John Wiley and sons (1967) theories of child development, Newyork.London.Sydney Kaiser, J.S.Rasminsky (2007): Challenging behavior in young children: understanding, preventing and responding effectively. Kathleen S. Berger (1980) The developing person, Newyork, Woth publishers Koegeli, L., Koegeli R., & Dunlap, G (1996) Positive behavioral support: Including people with difficult behavior in the community Brookes Publishing Co Lee, C. (2011) The Complete Guide to Behaviour London; Sage Lovett H. (1996) Learning to listen: Positive approaches and people with difficult behaviour Brookes Publishing Co Roffey, S. (2011) Changing Behaviour in Schools London, Sage Roffey, S. (ed.) (2002). School Behaviour and Families: Frameworks for Working Together. London: David Fulton. Shelton, F. And Brownhill. S (2008) Effective Behaviour Management in the Primary Classroom. Berks. Open University Press Stenfert Kroses, B., Dagnan, D., & Loumidis, K (Eds) (1997) Cognitive-behaviour therapy for people with learning disabilities Sterne. A and Poole. L (2009) Domestic Violence and Children London; Routledge Tsakanikos, Elias; Jane (2011). "Psychometric properties of the Disability Assessment Schedule (DAS) for behavior problems: An independent investigation". Research in Developmental Disabilities   Whitaker P.(2011) Challenging behaviour and autism. Making sense – making progress. A guide to parenting and managing challenging behaviour for parents and teachers Read More