Complete 10 page APA formatted essay: Challenging Behavior.Download file to see previous pages... Emerson and Einfeld (2010) point out that challenging behavior is a social construct. Whether a behavi

Complete 10 page APA formatted essay: Challenging Behavior.

Emerson and Einfeld (2010) point out that challenging behavior is a social construct. Whether a behavior is defined as challenging in a given context depends on certain factors such as social rules defining appropriate behavior, a person’s capacity to provide a reasonable explanation for their conduct, and capacity within the setting to manage any social disruption caused by the person’s behavior. Indeed, there are numerous variations when it comes to challenging behavior. In light of this fact, this study will choose to look at challenging behavior from the context of school going children. This differentiation is definitely made in recognition of the fact that challenging behavior affects adults as well. however, for the benefit of being specific the study focuses and discusses challenging behavior based on a definite group. Behavior in social settings is, at least in part, governed by implicit and explicit rules and expectations regarding what constitute appropriate conduct, the more formal the setting, the more explicit the rules. Indeed, context is essential in giving meaning to any behavior. Behavior can only be defined as challenging in particular contexts (Dodd, 2004.p.194). As an example, loud shouting is likely to be tolerated or condoned in a restaurant, a kitchen or a football pitch. Similar behavior would certainly be considered inappropriate during a corporate meeting or a church service. Beyond context, the appropriateness of particular behaviors is also determined by cultural beliefs and general role expectation. These few examples point to the variability of challenging behavior a fact that stresses the how far the issue permeates in society (Rogers, 2009.p.31). However, to restrict our study and determine which kind of challenging behavior will be looked the study utilizes two factors. The first is that a significant minority of people with intellectual disabilities show challenging behavior and secondly such behaviors are often associated with a range of negative personal and social consequences. (Leaman, 2009.p.11). The most immediate results of this type of behavior is that it may significantly impair health and/or quality of life of the person themselves, those who care for them and those who live or work with them. Self-injurious behaviors can result in damage to the person’s health through secondary infections, malformation of the sites of repeated injury through the development of calcified haematomas, loss of sight or hearing, additional neurological impairments and even death (Dodd, 2004.p.194). Similarly, serious aggression may result in significant injury to others as well as to the person themselves as a result of the defensive or restraining action of others (Emerson &amp. Einfeld, 2010.p.10). However, the consequences of challenging behaviors go beyond their immediate physical impact. Indeed, the combined responses of the public, care staff and service agencies to people who show challenging behaviors may prove significantly more detrimental to their quality of life that the immediate physical consequences of the challenging behaviors themselves (Rogers, 2009.p.31). These social responses may include abuse, inappropriate treatment, social exclusion, deprivation and systematic regret. The gravity of these consequences associated with challenging behavior brings in an immediate need to understand what exactly leads to this type of behavior. At least, understanding the root cause avails a platform through which challenging behavior can be addressed.