ABSTRACT
This chapter explores social effects of challenging behaviour, the anatomy of a crisis and resolving major disruption, specific strategies for serious disruption and the impact of time on behaviour change. Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) aims to bring about lasting behavioural change by providing an alternative to consequence- and punishment-based methods. A behavioural problem exists when there is a deviation from age-appropriate behaviour that significantly interferes with the student’s own growth and development and/or the lives of others. Concepts of manners, social interaction and prosocial behaviour that are easily and quickly adopted by most children during their play can become major hurdles for children with severe emotional and behavioural challenges. A significant problem for many teachers of students with challenging behaviours is their own fear of preparing activities in which the students exercise high levels of autonomy. Intervention programs for children presenting with severe behavioural difficulties commonly incorporate processes of therapy.
