1. Why is there a link with Challenging Behaviour?
“Autism itself does not cause challenging behaviour.”

2. Behaviour generally serves one of the following functions:
Generally, behaviour occurs because it serves some form of function and/or produces an outcome.
Behaviour generally serves one of the following functions:
Obtaining an object or outcome
Escaping a task or situation
Getting attention
Attempting to calm self (sensory input?)
Blocking something painful
Responding to discomfort
Attempting to gain control
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3. We classify some behaviour as “challenging” because we as individuals or a society find it difficult to accept.
The first thing we need to do in addressing challenging behaviour is take a step back.
Learn to see behaviour as a reaction instead of a wilful act.
Learn to ask:
What has caused them to behave this way?
Did the behaviour start suddenly? (Is there an underlying health condition?)
What are they trying to gain?
What are they trying to tell me?
Does it only happen in certain places or situations?
What do I usually do to get them to stop?
“Before I knew how to speak, the only way I knew how to escape from situations and people I didn’t like was to hit, bite, and run.”

4. Two things to remember:
Consistency is key!
Continuation is vital!
“Quote.”

5. Why is it important to address Challenging Behaviour?
“Challenging Behaviour may be a sign that someone needs help.”

6. What are things to consider?
“Often we find that people with ASCs can be very tactfully defensive so the space itself needs to be as neutral as possible.”

7. Mental Health Conditions Medication Behavioural Concerns
When trying to understand what is contributing to behaviour, thoughtful consideration must be given to various issues:
Physical Concerns
Mental Health Conditions
Medication
Behavioural Concerns
Communication Issues
Sensory Concerns
Imagination
“My behaviour began to change when I started to learn about emotions - not only in other but recognising them in me”

8. Behavioural Concerns
Taking the time to understand the function of a behaviour can often lead to finding out the motivation behind a behaviour.
There are three pieces of information that can help to discover the function of a behaviour. These are Antecedent- Behaviour-Consequuence (ABC)
“I have often been the victim of ignorance. I think you have to be brave to get over the horrible times people hurt you by talking like you don’t understand the comments they are making about you within earshot.”

9. ABC Antecedent What came before? Where are they?
Who is there? What is there?
Behaviour
Punching, Kicking, Screaming, Swearing, Smearing, etc.
Consequence
What is the result? What changed? Where did they go? What did others do?
Look for a pattern

10. What positive strategies are there?
“There are many possible contributors to the development of challenging behaviour.”

11. Adapt the environment Due to imagination difficulties, people
with ASCs rely on predictability.
Prepare people for change, not only
what will happen but when and what
is expected of them.
Provide a safe place. Teach somebody
how to use it.
Remove things that you think could be
causing issues (fluorescent lights)
Pair up companions for different
activities. Who work best for what?

12. Teach Skills PECS - Picture Exchange Communication System Makaton
Social Stories
Tangible Means of Expression
“We were a patchwork team in which one hand hardly knew what the other one was doing.”

13. Ignoring the behaviour
Only used for attention seeking behaviour.
Ignoring challenging behaviour can result in the behaviour increasing. This is normal.
Stay the course.
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14. Redirection
Redirection can be very powerful. It can provide the opportunity to steer a person into a more positive or manageable situation.
An example of this is giving someone a “time out”.
“Before she could speak, we could only guess what was upsetting her so much.”

15. Removal/Reinforcement
Removing somebody from a situation or reinforcing positive experiences.

16. Summary Autism does not cause challenging behaviour
All behaviour is communication
Try to see behaviour as a reaction
Challenging behaviour might be a sign that someone needs help
For no obvious trigger, use ABCs
Remember communication and sensory difficulties
Try to make things predictable
Redirecting can be powerful

17. Summary
Remember…
Consistency is key!
Continuation is key!

18. Questions? Craig Henderson Training & Development Coordinator
Grampian Autistic Society
33-35 Carnie Drive
Aberdeen
AB25 3AN
Tel:
Questions?