Important to be patient and calm

children with developmental challenges.

However, children with special needs sometimes misbehave because they cannot always control their behaviour or are unable to communicate their needs and emotions in an appropriate way. Because of these challenges, children with special needs may misbehave more than normally functioning children. As parents and caregivers, it is important to understand the child’s special needs and the reasons he demonstrates such behaviour. This will help parents develop strategies to deal with the behaviour specific to the child.

Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based method to deal with challenging behaviour in children with special needs. When using ABA, the behaviour is first analysed. Strategies are then developed to cope and manage the special needs child’s behaviour. Changes are monitored and positive behaviour is reinforced. Finally, the child is expected to demonstrate the changed behaviour in various settings.

Whether a person is dealing with behav- ioural issues in typically developing children or children with special needs, it is firstly important to understand the child’s behaviour. Although difficult at times, being patient and calm is essential in dealing with conflict situations with children. Yelling, smacking and making the child feel hopeless are not effective methods in the long term.

It is important for parents and other adults dealing with children to be empowered with ways of dealing with the difficulties. When managed effectively, children learn to not only behave well, but they learn how to cope with difficulties on their own in other situations. The learned positive behaviour becomes an intrinsic part of them.

Educator Agalya Balaguru and consultant paediatrician Dr Shan Narayanan will be conducting two workshops on managing behaviour in children, and special needs children, respectively, on March 9 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, for parents, teachers and childcare workers.

For more information, contact Coreen of JPL Training Track (013-330 1728 or e-mail coreen@trainingtrack.biz).