From time to time, children and adolescents may display behaviours that can be described as challenging. The term challenging behaviour is used to represent the challenge the behaviour presents to the service providers and illustrates that it is not intrinsic to the person. Emerson et al. (1987) define it as ‘culturally abnormal behaviours of such intensity, frequency or duration that the physical safety of the person or others is placed in jeopardy, or behaviour that is likely to seriously limit the use of or delay access to ordinary community facilities.’ It is an umbrella term, which can include socially unacceptable behaviours, destruction of property, self-injurious behaviours and violence and aggression to others.

Challenging behaviours can be life-threatening, such as in cases of extreme self-injury, but in most cases they are not but they have a huge impact on the person’s quality of life and the quality of life of those around them. The presence of challenging behaviour is often the reason cited for the breakdown of service provision, resulting in exclusion from services and isolation from families, friends and society.

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Join