Challenging behaviour
LAST UPDATED: 06/06/11
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As anyone who has ever dealt with challenging behaviour will know, it can be extremely stressful. If you are living with or caring for someone who is prone to tantrums, hitting or kicking, throwing things or hurting other people, chances are you don’t want to risk going out and about with them. That can make life very difficult.
Understanding why someone is behaving in a challenging way is very important. Nine times out of ten it’s because they’re having difficulty communicating their needs. We all like to have choice and control in our lives, and not having that can be very distressing for someone with learning disabilities.
Giving people options, rather than making demands – enabling them to make choices and influence their own lives and environment can make a considerable difference to their quality of life and, so behaviour.
We have tried where possible to link you through directly to the section/page with the information you are seeking. This way, we hope to help you avoid the stress of looking for the correct page and not being able to find it.
Listed below are some useful tips for dealing with challenging behaviour, together with links to organisations and resources you may find helpful.
If you are caring for someone who is behaving in a challenging way, the best starting point is your GP who can refer you on to an appropriate service. Don’t be deterred if your GP is dismissive to start with. You know your child. If you think there’s a problem push for a referral.
Emotional and psychological support for people with learning disabilities is quite a specialist area and, again, your GP is a good starting point for a referral. It may also be worth contacting your local NHS mental health trust, if you are fortunate enough to have one in your area. It is possible to access one outside your borough if yours doesn't have one.
Young people who develop emotional or mental health problems may be referred to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS team) or a psychiatrist or psychologist within a learning disability service. When referring adults, GPs sometimes use the criteria of an IQ of below 70 and adaptive behaviour difficulties.
We have listed some specialist support services further down this page, which may be helpful. If you know of any other resources, please let us know and we’ll add them to the list.
TIPS
Keep calm
Keep calm and try not to seem angry or upset, even though you might be feeling it. The person you are caring for will probably be sensitive to your mood.
Find out the reason
Remember there is a legitimate reason for someone's challinging behaviour. Try and find out what that reason is and what that person needs or is trying to communicate.
Pre-warning signs
Challenging behaviour may appear to occur out of the blue, but most people show signs they're becoming agitated or distressed before they lose control. Learn to recognise those signs and you may be able to defuse a situation before it arises.
Distraction
Distraction often works - you should keep to hand a bag of familiar sensory objects or play a familiar/favourite tune.
Communication
Work on communication skills because frustration with making needs known is often the cause of difficult behaviour.
Loneliness
Loneliness can be a big problem. Work on creating a circle of friends or speak to your local social services department for advice.
Choices
Offering choices and encouraging decision making are important. Give the person you care for some control of their own lives.
Self esteem
Improving self esteem improves behaviour. Always include the person you care for in conversations, explaining things clearly and reflecting respect in your tone of voice. Never speak about the person as if they aren't present.
Give a role
We all like to feel needed. Make sure the person you are caring for has an opportunity to contribute, even with things as simple as household chores. Always give plenty of positive reinforcement.
Fun
Make sure that every day has an element of fun and some stimulating experiences. Fun is important to everybody's quality of life.
You matter too
Take care of yourself and your partner. Don't isolate yourself - join forces with other parents and support groups.
USEFUL RESOURCES
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Provides information and support to parentsand professionals caring for people with severe learning disabilities and challenging behaviour.http://www.thecbf.org.uk/
The Challenging Behaviour Publications Guide
A publications guide on the Challenging Behaviour Foundation website. It provides a comprehensive list of publications on the subject of challenging behaviour produced by various different charities and other organisations.www.thecbf.org.uk/
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation – 10 top tips
A useful information sheet for family carers, supporting adults with learning disabilities whose behaviour is described as challenging. 10 top tips (150.3 KB)
Challenging Behaviour: A Handbook
A useful resource for people working in services, which emphasises the importance of respecting people. The approach is based on positive behavioural support.www.pavpub.com
Mencap
Provides advice and information about tackling challenging behaviour.
Helpline 0808 808 1111www.mencap.org.uk
About Learning Disabilities
Information and advice about learning disabilities, including challenging behaviour.www.aboutlearningdisabilities.co.uk
NHS website
Advice about how to cope with challenging behaviour and where to get help.www.nhs.uk
This NHS site shows where mental health support services of all sorts are available in your area. NHS mental health services
Maximum Potential
Offers occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and sensory integration. Sensory problems may cause challenging behaviour and dealing with these problems can help resolve the challenging behaviour.www.maximumpotential.org.uk
Lorrine Marer, behavioural specialist
Teaches responsible behaviour, respect and co-operation through the use of descriptive praise and reflective listening. Also offers ADHD coaching.www.behaviouralmanagement.co.uk/
Weip
Independent Challenging Behaviour consultancy, which helps families devise strategies to change behaviour and take a 'step back' to see the world through the eyes of their child. www.weip.co.uk
Princess Royal Trust for Carers
Advice about making the most of services in your local area such as GPs, carer’s centres, local authority children’s services and adult services for people with disabilities. Offers support for carers who are looking after someone with challenging behaviour.www.carers.org/learning-disabilities
The Loddon Training & Consultancy
Runs a course for parents/carers of children who may have additional needs arising from a diagnosis or statement of Autism, Aspergers Syndrome, E.B.D, Special Educational Needs or challenging behaviour. The course offers practical tips and guidance for parents to support their child and their challenging behaviour and to openly discuss individual problems and meet new people in similar situations. www.proact-scipr-uk.com/
The Special Yoga Centre
The Special Yoga Centre is a Centre of Excellence for yoga therapy for children, with an emphasis on children with special needs. It offers a wide range of training courses, one-to-one yoga therapy, outreach work in schools, group classes and parent support groups. Please contact Jo Manuel for further info jo@specialyoga.org.uk www.specialyoga.org.uk
Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)
The SCIE has published three 'At a glance' briefings for family carers who are supporting people with challenging behaviour. The guides at aimed individually at adults, children and teenagers
SPECIALIST SUPPORT
Respond
Offers various kinds of therapy to people with learning disabilities including counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy and psychoanalytic and psychodynamic therapy. Specialises in offering support to those who have experienced trauma or abuse.www.respond.org.uk
Royal College of Psychiatrists leaflet
Leaflet about depression amongst people with learning difficulties. Explains symptoms, how to get help and the kinds of treatment available. Also deals with bereavement.www.rcpsych.ac.uk
Bristol Crisis Service for Women
Includes research on people with learning disabilities and self-harm. Helpline for all women who have problems with self-harming.www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk
Institute of Psychotherapy and Disability
Develops, accredits and regulates psychotherapists who work with people with learning disabilities.http://www.instpd.org.uk/
Sexuality Support Team
Responds to a broad range of sexual issues affecting men and women with learning disabilities, including enabling informed choices, sexual health issues and HIV risk. The team works with people who have been victims or perpetrators of sexual abuse.www.patient.co.uk
Naomi Richardson
Provides counselling service for people with learning disabilities and their carers.www.naomirichardson.com
British Institute of Learning Disabilities helplines
Offers helplines for a range of problems including bereavement, emotional distress, rape and sexual abuse.www.bild.org.uk
Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
Tips on how to make young people feel good about themselves, where to go for help if they develop mental health problems and support for carers. Also useful for transition section.www.learningdisabilities.org.uk
Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
Offers a range of therapies, including psychotherapy and family therapy for children and adults with a range of learning disabilities including autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.www.tavi-port.org
Relate
Offers family counselling.www.relate.org.uk
Gingerbread
Support for single parents including those who have children with disabilities.www.gingerbread.org.uk
