Addressing Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom: A Manual to Enhance Teachers’ Understanding of Challenging Behavior, Causes, and Evidence-Based Behavioral Management

Abstract

Challenging behavior is frequently seen in classrooms across the United States, and schools are in a unique position to support students beyond that of academic achievement through fostering safe, welcoming, and positive learning environments conducive to all students. In a school-based setting, occupational therapy plays a role in helping to create positive learning environments for all students and using holistic, whole-child approach to care. This means advocating for the understanding that in order to optimally learn and be successful academically, a child’s personal needs beyond that of the classroom setting should be considered. The purpose of the project was to encourage the use of a contextual, whole-child lens that accounts for a child’s stage of development, environmental, sociocultural, physical, emotional, and cognitive factors that should be taken into consideration in order to compassionately and supportively guide a student through times of adversity. This study was a 14-week experience and used both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess and evaluate the need for and the value of a behavior management manual. The capstone student created a research and evidence based behavior management manual that was distributed at the end of the capstone experience. The results of this study propose that the behavior management manual that was created has value, will leave long-lasting effects, and will change perspectives of teachers and staff on challenging behaviors for years to come.