Whether you are the parent to a child with special needs, a teacher, or a secondary caregiver, raising a child with special needs comes with its own unique challenges and joys. One of the most common difficulties faced by parents is managing challenging behaviours in children with special needs. Challenging behaviours are a very broad term that includes a wide range of behaviours mostly stemming from a lack of communication skills, a lack of or over-sensory stimulation, and inability to cope with social expectations. Before we understand these challenging behaviours and effective strategies to manage them, let us briefly list a few undesirable behaviours in children with special needs, along with their underlying causes:
Bright lights, loud noises, or crowded spaces can overwhelm a child and can lead to a full-blown meltdown. Tantrums mostly occur when the child is unable to communicate his or her needs, is overly stimulated by the environment, and is feeling overwhelmed.
Aggressive behaviours like hitting, biting, and kicking can arise from frustration, a need for attention or connection, or difficulty processing and expressing affection. Most children with special needs thrive on predictability. Sudden changes in routine can manifest in various aggressive ways.
Some children engage in self-harming behaviours like biting, head banging, scratching, and hair pulling, indicating strong sensory overload or inability to cope with a stressful situation. Emotional dysregulation can also lead to these self-injurious behaviours.
When certain needs aren’t met and children have the urge to express themselves and are unable to communicate or get the desired attention, they engage in behaviours like throwing objects, breaking furniture, or tearing up papers.
These include behaviours like vocal stimming, rocking, hand flapping, spinning objects, or self as a coping mechanism to suppress anxiety.
Dealing with challenging behaviours can feel overwhelming at times. But these behaviours can be controlled effectively, and you can provide your child with a supportive environment using the right strategies and methods.
Observe your child to identify triggers like the time of the day, the place, or exposure to a particular setting. Once you are aware of the trigger, it will equip you to plan strategies to minimize the impact of these triggers or to eliminate the triggers altogether. Provide alternate behaviours for the child to express themselves, like using words instead of hitting.
Communicate your expectations clearly. Establish rules and consequences if those rules are not followed. Be consistent in your approach. Use visual cues for support. Ensure that your methods are constructive and appropriate.
One of the most powerful and effective tools to increase desired behaviour is positive reinforcement
. Verbal praise, reward charts, and token systems are all methods to reinforce positive behaviours.Various strategies can be used to enhance communication skills in children. Teaching children how to communicate using visual supports, AACs, or sign language can help them reduce their frustration and prevent meltdowns.
It is very important that children learn to identify and manage their emotions. Teaching them strategies like counting to 10, counting backwards, deep breathing, or listening to calming music are effective ways to regulate their emotions.
Providing a space that is sensory friendly and is equipped with calming materials like fidget toys, calming music, or white noise, noise-cancelling headphones can help calm children down. If a child is experiencing a sensory overload, a sensory break in a space like this is an effective way to manage their behaviours.
Professionals like therapists, special educators, and psychologists can help in providing a tailored plan with intervention strategies that cater to the child’s specific needs.
When working with a child, it is of utmost importance that all of the stakeholders are actively involved in planning strategies to ensure a smooth process of intervention at home, school, therapy centres, and extracurricular classes. Regular communication with all the stakeholders aids in creating a positive environment for the child.
Progress may take time, and setbacks are a natural part of the journey. Celebrate small victories and remain flexible in your approach. What works one day may not work the next, so stay open to adjusting your strategies as needed.
Once you have addressed the challenging behaviours, reflect on what strategies have worked, what hasn’t, and what modifications are required in order to ensure the effectiveness of the planned strategies.
Managing challenging behaviour in children with special needs requires patience, understanding, and effective strategies. By establishing routines, enhancing communication, and fostering emotional regulation, you can create a supportive environment that helps your child thrive.
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