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The process for handling challenging behavior involves: - Tune into the challenging behavior. The child is telling us something in the only way they know how. - Evaluate what preceded the behavior (context, patterns, sensory phenomena, etc.) - Apply what you know about your child’s overall challenges to the situation (i.e. sensory issues, communication/social challenges, need for sameness and routine). - Alter whatever you might suspect has caused the distress. - Observe and evaluate how the child responds the next time that situation arises implementing the new strategies. If successful, great! If not, start the process over with what you now have learned. It is not always obvious or apparent what might be the reason for the distressing behavior. During my time with the TEACCH program, I was introduced to Icebergs, as they relate to behaviors. When the captain of a ship sees an iceberg, he realizes that it is only the tip that is visible and that the greatest part of it lies invisible, beneath the surface of the water. If the iceberg’s tip represents specific behaviors that we can observe, then what is beneath the surface are the underlying deficits which are potentially the cause for the child’s behavior. I apologize for not knowing who originally created this analogy within TEACCH, but my appreciation goes out to whomever it was. The underlying causes may not include all possibilities, but they do broaden what to consider. I have one example included below and others to share upon request.
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