This course has been designed to help you understand the term ‘behaviour that challenges’ and how to recognise changes in individuals that may indicate an episode of challenging behaviour. You will also study the importance of non-verbal communication and how reflection on an incident can assist in managing future behaviour.

Challenging behaviour is causing increasing concern today, as many individuals have increasing levels of stress and uncertainty in their lives. This behaviour can be due to factors such as anxiety, neglect, abuse, learning disabilities and conditions like dementia. Understanding the causes of challenging behaviour is the first step towards finding ways to support individuals and manage their behaviour.