Behaviour is communication — especially for neurodivergent children. This category explores inclusive, compassionate strategies for supporting pupils who express their needs through behaviours that challenge.
You’ll find trauma-informed approaches, low-demand parenting ideas, classroom de-escalation techniques, and sensory-aware behaviour support plans. Whether you’re a teaching assistant, SENCO, or parent, these resources help you respond to behaviour with curiosity, not control.
Optimising Engagement and Minimising Downtime in the Classroom to Reduce Challenging Behaviour “The most challenging pupils often become our greatest teachers.” After two decades in education, spanning Reception through to Year 11, this truth remains constant. Whether you’re dealing with a Year 2 pupil refusing to transition between activities or a Year 10 student displaying … Read more
Understanding Argumentative Behaviour: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach Argumentative behavior in schools is often less about opposition and more a reflection of unmet needs. Recognizing that such behaviors can stem from diverse cognitive processing styles, this guide provides evidence-based strategies designed to address these challenges empathetically. With a focus on neurodiversity-affirming practices, educators can support students in … Read more
Behaviour of Concern: Understanding & Managing Hair Pulling Behaviour Hair pulling presents unique challenges in educational settings and requires specific understanding and support strategies. While some children may engage in hair pulling towards others as a form of communication or distress response, others may display self-directed hair pulling (trichotillomania), which requires a distinct therapeutic approach. … Read more
Understanding and Supporting Behaviours of Concern Whatever your own beliefs and values around child development. When supporting children in schools, it’s crucial to recognise that all behaviour is a form of communication. Zero tolerance policies and refusals to make reasonable adjustments lead to many children missing out on education. What we traditionally label as ‘challenging’ … Read more
Challenging Behavior and Setting Events Creating an optimal learning environment is a challenge that lies at the heart of effective teaching, especially for SEN pupils. It requires staff to possess a deep and nuanced understanding of the factors that influence student behaviour, engagement, and academic performance. Among these factors, setting events play a crucial yet … Read more
Understanding Setting Events and Challenging Behavior Challenging behaviors rarely occur in isolation. They are often influenced by a complex interplay of factors that extend beyond the immediate triggers. These factors can be subtle and often operate in the background, but they can have a powerful impact on an individual’s emotional and behavioral state. Recognizing that … Read more
Using Behaviour Records to Reduce Challenging Behaviour in Schools This article examines the significance staff observation in identifying “setting events“, and how this information can be applied to create supportive and proactive school environments to reduce challenging behaviours. “The results of this study suggest that services that are seeking to prevent challenging behavior should seek … Read more
The Long-Term Impact: Compliance-Based vs Interoception-Based Behaviour Support Approaches We have written a lot about supporting behaviour in as neurodiversity affirming ways as possible. The approaches I use both at work and at home are actually a mix of behavioural interventions and therapeutic approaches. It is clear that two distinct methodologies have emerged in a … Read more
Physical Causes of Challenging Behavior As educators, we often encounter students who exhibit challenging behaviors in the classroom. While it’s tempting to focus solely on the behavior itself. Challenging behavior is not a diagnosis. Instead, it’s typically the result of a complex interplay between an individual and their environment. In many cases, these behaviors are … Read more
Nature vs. Nurture: Different Perspectives for Understanding Child Development For decades, the nature vs. nurture debate has been a central topic in understanding human development. Are children shaped more by their genetic makeup or by their environment? While this dichotomy offers valuable insights, modern research suggests that understanding children’s behaviour requires a more nuanced approach. … Read more
Guide To Implementing Collaborative De-Escalation Plans Implementing collaborative de-escalation plans across different settings and staff members requires a comprehensive, whole-school approach. Discover comprehensive strategies for effectively implementing collaborative de-escalation plans throughout your school. This in-depth guide covers policy development, staff training, communication plans, and environmental adaptations to ensure consistent support for neurodiverse students across all … Read more
Collaborative De-escalation Plans: Supporting Emotional Regulation in the Classroom Collaborative de-escalation plans detail how pupils and teaching staff will respond to stressors and behaviours of concern. These plans, co-created with students facilitate emotional regulation and self-advocacy, aligning with neurodiversity-affirming practices that recognise and celebrate the unique ways individuals experience and interact with the world. We … Read more
In our diverse classrooms, we encounter a broad range of minds, each with its unique way of perceiving and interacting with the world. Among these, some students experience emotions and interactions more intensely than others, processing their environment with heightened sensitivity and responding with powerful expressions of their needs and feelings. These students, who have … Read more
Operational Definitions for Behaviour Analysis Operational definitions are invaluable tools in understanding and supporting diverse behavioural expressions. By providing precise, observable descriptions free of subjective language, we can communicate clearly, measure accurately, and develop personalised strategies that embrace neurodiversity. I have written a full article on conducting an effective Functional Behaviour Analysis that will be … Read more
The terminology we use to describe student behaviours is a crucial aspect of our approach to education and can significantly impact how we perceive and support our students. Let’s explore the debate surrounding the terms “challenging behaviour” and “behaviours of concern,” as well as consider alternative terminology. “Challenging Behaviour”: Proponents argue: Critics contend: “Behaviours of … Read more
Behaviour Calming Routines Guide for EYFS/SEN Teachers This article was inspired by a great lesson observation I conducted in a KS1 class that is currently following the EYFS ethos. The children are still getting “ready to learn” but the teacher has implemented fantastic routines. These include calming routines at both a whole class, and individual … Read more
A Teacher’s Guide to Somatic Competency In today’s dynamic classrooms, teachers face the ongoing challenge of promoting self-regulation, emotional intelligence, and positive behaviour among their students. One approach gaining traction is developing somatic competency. The ability to perceive, interpret, and respond to internal bodily cues and sensations. What is Somatic Competency? Somatic competency, or interoceptive … Read more
Oppositional Defiant Disorder: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by a persistent pattern of defiant, disobedient, and disruptive behaviours toward authority figures. Pupils with ODD often present significant challenges in the classroom, testing the patience and skills of even the most experienced teachers. However, it is crucial to recognize … Read more
15 evidence-based classroom management strategies for teachers The paragraph can be extended by elaborating on the existing content. Effective classroom management plays a pivotal role in the day-to-day activities of educators. It is essential for maintaining discipline but also for creating a learning environment where students can thrive academically and socially. By implementing evidence-based strategies, … Read more
In today’s classrooms, verbal communication is often emphasised while non-verbal communication takes a backseat. However, as more children with special educational needs (SEN) are integrated into mainstream settings, there is a need to utilise both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication. Combining these methods can improve the delivery of messages and facilitate understanding while promoting … Read more
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