From Exploring Difficult Behavior by TONY LPD · Mental Health
Chapter 1 — What does it mean, and how do we respond?
Published
Every child, regardless of background or ability, will display difficult behavior at some point. Crying, tantrums, refusal, withdrawal, aggression, or even shutting down are all part of the human experience of managing stress and learning how to cope with overwhelming situations. Neurodivergent children often show a heightened vulnerability to a loss of self-regulation. For children who identify as, or are characterized by, labels such as Autism Spectrum, ADHD, Sensory processing disorder, motor problems, dyslexia, or other neurodevelopmental differences, these behaviors can appear more frequently and more intensely. These children may struggle with accurately interpreting signals from their bodies, understanding environmental cues, or navigating the complex world of relationships. As a result, they are more vulnerable to fear responses and to losing self-regulation, the ability to manage emotions and actions in line with the demands of a situation.Exploring Difficult Behavior
