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Challenging behaviour
The term 'challenging behaviour' has become a clinical term. By using it one needs to be careful not to stigmatise. In doing so it separates people and their behaviour. This can de-humanise individuals thus making it difficult for staff to engage with the service user.
TPS uses the following definition to describe what challenging behaviour means:
'Challenging behaviour is a function of the interaction between the person and their current environment [5] '.
It is behaviour which [6]:
- causes harm to the person
- causes harm to others
- causes stress to others
- impedes learning
- is contrary to social norms.
Challenging behaviour is a function of the environment service users are in.