Challenging Behaviour in the Classroom:

This webinar will introduce practical strategies which can be easily implemented by SNAs and teachers in the classroom to support students who display challenging behaviour. Challenging behaviour can disrupt learning for the whole classroom and can create a tense, stressful environment. The way we respond to challenging behaviour will also impact other students in the class and so we must be mindful of the role we play in maintaining our own regulation while addressing the behaviour.

We will discuss ways in which we can:

• Decrease the demand for the child
• Adapt our communication style to support the child’s understanding
• Use emotion coaching to label and validate feelings
• Set and maintain clear boundaries
• How and when to have reflective conversations
• Identify triggers and de-escalate behaviours
• Implement movement, sensory and play breaks throughout the school day

SNAs should come away from this webinar with a variety of strategies to trial in the classroom.

Bio of Presenter: Martha Ní Fhlatharta

Martha is an Irish school-based Occupational Therapist, working specifically in a specialist school in the UK for children with Developmental Language Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder and accompanying sensory processing, motor skill, visual perceptual and executive functioning needs. Her role mainly focuses on increasing independence in activities of daily living, using sensory strategies, adaptive equipment and assistive technology to support student participation within the classroom, home environment and within the community.