Behavioural Challenges and Diverse Learning Needs
A blog by Jen Robin
Jen is the founder of the Diversity Hub and CWAA contributor. Jen is one our guest panelists at our next webinar - ‘Does the ‘behaviour’ issue require a curriculum solution?’
When we consider behavioural challenges in an educational context, we generally refer to the actions and responses of students that impact negatively on their own learning, the learning of others and/or the job of the teacher. It is the cause of extensive teacher and school staff stress and is an ongoing challenge in most schools across the country.
Students with diverse learning needs may exhibit behaviours or responses for a range of reasons. Barriers to learning may include (but is not limited to) challenges related to literacy, numeracy, memory, language, attention or sensory regulation skills in addition to social or emotional factors that impact on how successfully individual students can self-regulate and engage with learning and classroom activities.?
Regardless of the barriers or diagnosis, students may be feeling doubt, frustration, anxiety, embarrassment, resentment or disinterest. For some students, it may be easier to express a behaviour or reaction rather than use words or other forms of communication. Behaviour as a form of communication is generally ineffective as the message is often not clear. A student who is unable to engage with a classroom activity could be communicating any one or more of the following messages:?