Communication Can Decrease Behavioral Issues
Behavior Problems in Children May Stem from Communication Issues
Aug 28, 2009
All behavior, positive and negative, is a form of communication. Children with special needs are far more likely to display challenging behaviors due to frustration at not being able to communicate wants or needs to caregivers effectively. There are simple techniques that caregivers can use to assist a child in communicating more clearly which can, in turn, decrease negative or inappropriate behaviors.
Children with developmental disabilities may find it challenging to express their needs to parents or teachers. When a need or desire goes unfulfilled, frustration can develop even in the most patient child. Frustration can eventually lead to inappropriate behaviors such as yelling or physical aggression. Parents may misinterpret this as a behavior problem and punish the child for misbehaving when the underlying issue is communication.
American Sign Language
Children with developmental disabilities may have issues communicating verbally. Teaching a few simple signs to a child can assist her in opening up lines of communication that were previously closed. A child may not be able to find the words needed to express the need to use the bathroom, but if a child is taught the simple sign for "toilet", accidents and frustration can be more easily avoided. Parents can locate sign language resources on the internet.
Simple Picture Communication
Caregivers can increase communication by creating and using a simple picture communication book. Parents can use photos of the child doing an activity such as eating lunch or use generic pictures that can be found on the internet to create a book. A child can flip through the pages of the book and locate the activity to communicate this want to a caregiver.
Professional Speech Evaluation
If a child is having behavioral issues, parents may rush straight to the psychologist or psychiatrist to look for answers. If the underlying issue is frustration related to communication, it may be worthwhile to start with a Speech Therapist or Speech-Language Pathologist. These professionals can complete an evaluation, diagnose speech problems or delays and work with a child to improve language skills or suggest other ways to communicate.
Sometimes a Speech Therapist may recommend an augmentative communication device. These pieces of equipment allow for a person to communicate using an electronic device. Sometimes the person will type in a sentence and the device will voice it. Sometimes the device will simply have pictures and the child will push a button that will voice the identity of the picture.
It's important for all caregivers to remember that children displaying inappropriate behaviors are attempting to express a need or desire in the only way he/she knows how. It may be difficult to interpret that need at first, but it's a parent's job figure out what the child is trying to say and to teach a more appropriate way in which to say it. Once the lines of communication are open, parents and children will be more content.
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