Addressing behaviour concerns in children – an overview

This article is based on the video on Addressing behaviour concerns in children. It is part of a behaviour management workshop organised by Nayi Disha with Dr Gouri Reddy, Child Psychologist.

What is Behaviour?

• Behaviour is an action or a range of actions that occur in response to triggers from the environment. 
• While some behavioural concerns can be temporary and fade away as the child grows and develops, certain behaviours that continue and can hinder the child’ s development and social life are a cause for concern.
• In children with autism, such behavioural concerns are observed. It is essential to understand the underlying reason behind a concerning behaviour.
• Difficulties in communication, lack of structure, uncertainty in situations, difficulty in transitioning from one activity to the other and sensory sensitivities can be some of the important factors that may lead to undesired behaviours.

The 5 Ws and the H of the behaviour

• It is important to identify a behaviour and categorise it as an action rather than just as a thought process. 
• Categorising and breaking down a displayed behaviour into smaller reactions, will help identify the cause behind it and in turn help find a suitable resolution.
• For example, by just saying the ‘child is aggressive’, it is difficult to understand what it is that the child is doing and therefore difficult to identify any triggers.
• By understanding what makes the child aggressive, it can help us understand ‘what’ and ‘how’ it can be modified.
• When we say, ‘the child is aggressive’ it may mean the child is hitting, biting and pushing others. Other examples include self-harm (hitting or biting self), destruction (throwing or breaking objects), running away or wandering and screaming.
• Quantifying the behaviours will help us manage and modify the concerns by helping us draw an effective intervention strategy that can help both the parent and the child.
• The 5 Ws and the H of the behaviour observed in a child is essential to be identified, as it helps us to:
  • Identify triggers or stressors
  • Quantify the observed behaviour
  • Find a strong support strategy

For instance, here Dr. Reddy has taken an example of the ‘hitting’ behaviour.

In the workshop with parents, Dr. Reddy has explained a scenario and tried to identify the What, When, Where, Why, with Whom and How of the behaviour. The situation is where a child was hitting (what) his friends (whom) in school (where), when (during lunch break) and how much was the intensity.

She goes on to explain that by identifying the parameters underlying a certain behaviour, we can form a quantifiable measure of the behaviour that needs attention. Once such behaviours are identified, parents can then understand the underlying reasons and work with the child closely, to address them.

Articles on the different strategies used to support behaviours in children can be seen here. Check out the video on Managing a child’s behaviour outside the home environment, The ABC chart, Positive and negative reinforcement, Responding to a child’s behaviour and Parent Q and A. These videos are part of a behaviour management workshop organised by Nayi Disha with Dr Gouri Reddy, Child Psychologist.

You may download this template of the Behaviour management ABC chart here, and use it to address your child’s behaviour concerns in a context-dependent fashion.

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other Intellectual Disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help. For any questions or queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. You can call or what’s app us. Our counselors speak different languages including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this guide is for information purposes only. Please consult a qualified health practitioner for proper guidance.