Definition
A term used to describe behaviour like hitting or kicking other people, throwing things or self-harming. This behaviour is described as challenging when it affects the person’s safety and quality of life and/or the safety or quality of life of people around them.
The bigger picture
This term focuses on the person’s behaviour as a problem and can lead to increased medication, restrictions, or restraint, rather than understanding the cause of the behaviour and what the person is communicating. Often it is used as a blanket term, making it meaningless and unhelpful.
Saying it differently
Behaviour is a means of communication. It may be appropriate to use the term ‘distressed behaviour’, as this acknowledges the person is communicating distress. This makes the cause of the distress the focus for change, rather than the person. However, ‘distressed behaviour’ should also be used with caution as the person may be communicating something else. Generally, it is better to avoid any blanket labelling.
What people say
“I’ve often said that if I’ve got behaviour that challenges then what’s the social worker’s like because they’re not replying to an email, they’re not ringing you back. Isn’t that behaviour that challenges? Because the whole idea of challenging behaviour is behaviour that challenges somebody else, so if they’re constantly too busy to reply then they’re challenging me, so they’ve got challenging behaviour too.” Julie Sharp