WHY QUESTION BEHAVIOUR

Why Question Behaviour ?

Behaviour is often seen before a child or young person’s communication is properly understood.

Children and young people may be described as:

  • Behavioural;
  • Difficult or oppositional;
  • Refusing to attend school;
  • Disengaged;
  • Unable to regulate;
  • Lacking motivation;
  • Presenting mental health difficulties.

But what if we asked a different set of questions? Can they:

  • Understand what is being said to them?
  • Find the words they want to say?
  • Can they organise their thoughts and put them into words, sentences or writing to express what they mean?
  • Explain what has happened and provide a logical and coherent account?
  • Understand and interpret social communication?
  • Engage socially; understand the perspectives of others; make friends;
  • Find the language they need to express when they are distressed?

Communication difficulties are not always obvious, and many young people become highly skilled at masking their difficulties

A child or young person may speak fluently and appear to have good language skills while experiencing significant difficulties with understanding language, processing information, finding words, organising language, telling a coherent story, or interpreting social communication. Young People may receive excellent exam results and present with significant Social Communication differences that greatly impact their well -being.

When speech, language and communication needs are missed, misunderstood, or masked, they can often be mistaken for, or obscured by, behavioral, emotional or mental health difficulties.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER

If you would like to discuss how I can support a child or young person, please get in touch to arrange a consultation.