2.3 The possible reasons for the behaviour

This guide will help you with answers for NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour that Challenges 2.3 The possible reasons for the behaviour.

As a support worker, understanding the reasons behind challenging behaviour is important. It helps you provide appropriate support and interventions. Let’s look into the possible reasons for such behaviour.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors can play a significant role in challenging behaviour. These are aspects of a person’s surroundings that may influence their actions.

• Overstimulation or Understimulation: Some individuals become overwhelmed by too much noise, light, or activity. On the flip side, too little stimulation can lead to boredom and frustration, prompting challenging behaviour.
• Change in Routine: Some individuals, especially those with autism, find comfort in routine. Sudden changes can cause anxiety, leading to challenging behaviours.
• Physical Environment: Factors like room layout, furniture arrangement, and even colour schemes can impact behaviour. A cluttered or chaotic environment might increase agitation.

Biological Factors

Biological or physical reasons for challenging behaviour include changes or issues within the body that affect an individual’s behaviour.

• Medical Conditions: Pain, infections, or undiagnosed illnesses can lead to discomfort and agitation. It’s really important to rule out medical issues when assessing challenging behaviour.
• Medication Side Effects: Some medications can have side effects that affect mood and behaviour.
• Sensory Processing Issues: Individuals with sensory processing issues can react unexpectedly to sensory inputs. For example, they might display challenging behaviour if they find certain textures or sounds distressing.
• Hunger or Thirst: Basic needs not being met can result in challenging behaviours. Always consider if the individual might be hungry, thirsty, or lacking sleep.

Psychological Factors

Psychological factors pertain to an individual’s mental state and emotional well-being.

• Emotional Distress: Feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety, or frustration can lead to challenging behaviours. It’s important to understand the emotional triggers and support the individual to manage these feelings.
• Mental Health Conditions: Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD can actually influence behaviour. Professional assessment is often needed for these conditions.
• Trauma: Past traumatic events can impact current behaviour. Triggers related to past trauma can evoke challenging responses.

Social Factors

Social interactions and relationships can also cause challenging behaviour.

• Communication Difficulties: When individuals cannot express their needs or feelings effectively, they may resort to challenging behaviours to communicate.
• Social Isolation: Lack of social interaction can lead to feelings of loneliness and frustration, which may manifest as challenging behaviour.
• Peer Relationships: Negative interactions with peers, such as bullying or exclusion, can lead to problematic behaviours.

Practical Examples and Scenarios

To better understand, let’s look at some practical examples.

Case Study 1: Overstimulation in the Classroom

Sarah, a 7-year-old with autism, starts to display disruptive behaviour during a music class. The loud noise and many people in one room overstimulate her. She begins to scream and lash out. Recognising the overstimulation, her support worker provides noise-cancelling headphones and a quiet corner to retreat to. This intervention decreases her challenging behaviour.

Case Study 2: Medical Pain as a Trigger

John, a man in his fifties with limited verbal communication, begins to hit his carers and refuse food. Initially, it is assumed to be a behavioural issue. However, upon medical examination, it’s discovered that John has a severe toothache. Once treated, his behaviour improves significantly.

Case Study 3: Social Isolation

Emily, a teenager in foster care, often acts out aggressively. Her support worker notices this behaviour occurs during social events. It’s revealed that Emily feels isolated and misunderstood by her peers. The worker helps Emily develop social skills and fosters supportive friendships. This intervention reduces her aggressive outbursts.

Preventative Strategies

Understanding the potential reasons behind challenging behaviour enables you to implement preventive strategies. Additionally, understanding the root cause of challenging behavior allows you to tailor interventions that address the specific needs of the individual. By identifying triggers and patterns, you can better anticipate and manage difficult situations. It is also important to consider how behavior can be interpreted in different cultural and social contexts, as this can impact the effectiveness of preventive strategies.

• Consistent Routines: Maintain a predictable routine to reduce anxiety related to unexpected changes.
• Communication Aids: Use tools like picture cards or communication devices to help individuals express their needs.
• Safe Spaces: Create safe areas where individuals can retreat if they feel overwhelmed.
• Regular Health Checks: Ensure regular medical check-ups to identify any physical health issues early.

The Importance of Individualised Approaches

Every individual is unique, so the reasons for their behaviour can vary greatly. It’s essential to take an individualised approach to understand and address the reasons behind challenging behaviour.

• Personal Histories: Take into account the individual’s personal history and any past traumatic experiences.
• Preferences and Aversions: Know the individual’s likes and dislikes to better tailor environments and activities that minimise triggers.
• Regular Review and Adaptation: Regularly review and adapt care plans to ensure they meet the individual’s evolving needs.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the possible reasons for challenging behaviour is multifaceted, encompassing environmental, biological, psychological, and social factors. As a support worker, it’s essential to assess and identify these reasons thoroughly. By doing so, you can implement effective strategies that not only address the behaviours but also support the individual’s overall well-being.

Keep learning and adapting your approach based on the unique needs of the individuals in your care. This proactive and empathetic approach will go a long way in managing challenging behaviour positively.

Example answers for unit 2.3 The possible reasons for the behaviour

Example Answer 1: Environmental Factors

I noticed that some residents become very agitated during our afternoon activity sessions. Upon closer observation, I realised that the room is quite crowded and noisy during these times. One resident, in particular, appears overwhelmed by the loud environment, leading to shouting and aggressive behaviour. To address this, I suggested creating a quieter, more serene space for those who need it. This adjustment has helped reduce the resident’s challenging behaviour, making the environment more comfortable for everyone.

Example Answer 2: Biological Factors

One of the individuals I support, James, began exhibiting a lot of frustration and lashing out unexpectedly. Initially, there was no apparent reason for his behaviour. After discussing with the team, we decided to arrange a medical check-up. It turned out that James had an untreated ear infection causing him significant pain. Once his medical issue was treated, his challenging behaviour decreased significantly, featureing the importance of considering biological factors.

Example Answer 3: Psychological Factors

Latoya, a resident with whom I work closely, started showing signs of extreme distress and self-harming behaviours. After several conversations and observations, it became clear that her behaviour was linked to emotional distress. Latoya had been experiencing feelings of depression and anxiety. We arranged for her to see a mental health professional, and incorporating regular therapy sessions into her routine has significantly helped her manage her emotions better, reducing the challenging behaviours.

Example Answer 4: Social Factors

Anthony, a young man with learning disabilities, often becomes aggressive when his peers exclude him. This usually happens during group activities or social events. I realised that his aggressive outbursts were his way of expressing frustration and feelings of isolation. To address this, I encouraged inclusive activities that involve everyone, including Anthony. Also, we implemented social skills training that helped him communicate his feelings more effectively. These steps have led to a noticeable decrease in his challenging behaviours.

Example Answer 5: Communication Difficulties

Sophie, a non-verbal resident, often becomes frustrated and starts throwing objects when she can’t express her needs. This behaviour was particularly evident during mealtimes. To help Sophie communicate better, we introduced a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Now, she can use pictures to indicate when she is hungry, thirsty, or needs something specific. The ability to communicate her needs has significantly reduced her frustration and challenging behaviours during meals.

Example Answer 6: Sensory Processing Issues

Tom, a child with sensory processing issues, often has meltdowns when exposed to certain textures or noises. During arts and crafts sessions, he would frequently become distressed and disruptive. I observed that specific materials like glue and paint were triggers for him. To support Tom, we provided alternative materials that are more comfortable for him to handle, such as foam and stickers. Also, we allowed him to take breaks in a quieter area if he felt overwhelmed. These adjustments have helped Tom participate more calmly in activities, reducing his challenging behaviours.