Challenging behavior

Challenging behaviour is defined as "culturally abnormal behaviour(s) of such intensity, frequency or duration that the physical safety of the person or others is placed in serious jeopardy, or behaviour which is likely to seriously limit or deny access to the use of ordinary community facilities".

Challenging behaviour is most often exhibited by people with developmental disabilities, dementia, psychosis and by children, although such behaviours can be displayed by any person.

Types of challenging behavior
Common types of challenging behaviour include self-injurious behaviour (such as hitting, headbutting, biting), aggressive behaviour (such as hitting others, screaming, spitting, kicking), inappropriate sexualised behaviour (such as public masturbation or groping), behaviour directed at property (such as throwing objects and stealing) and stereotyped behaviours (such as repetitive rocking, echolalia or elective incontinence).

Causes of challenging behavior
Challenging behaviour may be caused by a number of factors, including biological (pain, medication, the need for sensory stimulation), social (attention-seeking, the need for control, lack of knowledge of community norms), environmental (physical aspects such as noise and lighting, or gaining access to preferred objects or activities) or simply a means of communication. A lot of the time, challenging behaviour is learned and brings rewards and desired outcomes, and it is very often possible to teach people new behaviours to achieve the same aims. A common principle in behavior management is looking for the message an individual is communicating through their challenging behavior.

Behavior response cycle
Challenging behaviors may be viewed as occurring in a cycle:
 * Trigger
 * Escalation
 * Crisis
 * Recovery

Analysis of this cycle provides a foundation for using a variety of strategies to minimize the triggers of challenging behavior, teach more appropriate behaviors in response to these triggers, or provide consequences to the challenging behavior that will encourage a more appropriate response. Behavioral strategies such as Applied Behavior Analysis, operant conditioning and Positive behavior support use similar approaches to analyzing and responding to challenging behaviors.