What is Challenging Behaviour?
What is challenging behaviour? Challenging behaviour, in the school context, encompasses behaviour that: • Interferes with the pupil’s own and/or other pupils’ learning; • Disrupts the day to day functioning of the school; • Jeopardises the right of staff and pupils to a safe and orderly environment; • Has a duration, frequency, intensity or persistence that is beyond the normal range that schools tolerate; and • Is less likely to be responsive to the usual range of interventions used by the school to address pupil misbehaviour. A perusal of the behaviour records of most primary schools will provide clear examples of different types of challenging behaviour displayed by children. These include: • Aggressive behaviour, including pushing, punching, kicking, biting, scratching, and threatening behaviour and verbal abuse; • Disruptive behaviour, including screaming, tantrums, non-co-operation, running away; • Destructive behaviour, including destruction ...