Our Children and Challenging Behaviors course presents a new way of looking at behaviors in children and common mistakes we tend to make in treating and managing them. Our course includes case histories, practical strategies, and resources which discuss behavioral challenges and aims to forge healing, lasting solutions based on current neuroscience. Once we understand what might be causing challenging behaviors, we can develop techniques designed to help children connect their thoughts, behaviors, and emotions when they simply cannot.
Children and Challenging Behaviors Module 1
Understanding the Origin of Behaviors
What are behaviors telling us about a child’s underlying neurophysiological processes? This module discusses the concept of neuroception, which provides a key to understanding behaviors as adaptations. We also discuss how stress affects our body responses and functional emotional development.
A New Way of Understanding Behaviors
Neuroception
Intentionality and Planning
Stress Responses
Functional Emotional Development
Children and Challenging Behaviors Module 2
Individual Differences
Acknowledging each child’s individual uniqueness is important in helping to understand intentional misbehavior and a child’s adaptations to their body’s signals. We describe the elements behind the physical body, behavioral control, sensory processing, and behaviors influenced by thoughts and feelings.
Observable Behaviors
The Physical Body and Behavioral Control
Sensory Processing
Behaviors Influenced by Feelings
Behaviors Influenced by Thoughts
Children and Challenging Behaviors Module 3
Solutions
Feeling safe is an inherent desire for every person. This module discusses the basics of stress and why children need adults for co-regulation and how to provide cues for relational safety for children. We also examine the basics of play, de-escalation strategies, and how to help children find their own solutions.
Stress and Co-Regulation
Child’s History and Tracking Behavior Patterns
De-Escalation Strategies
Play Basics
Helping Children Find Their Own Solutions
Children and Challenging Behaviors Module 4
Neurodiversity and Trauma
In our final module, we examine how to properly interpret behaviors in neurodiverse individuals. We also discuss how early adverse experiences impact children and their behavior. Finally, we describe the problem with rewards and punishments.
Behaviors in Autism and Neurodiversity
Modeling Awareness and Self-Compassion
Early Adverse Experiences
Rewards and Punishments
Targeting Relationships
After completing this course, learners should be able to:
Describe the origin behaviors and development
Recall individual differences and behavioral control
Identify practical methods and ways for helping children find their own solutions
Define neurodiversity and trauma
Certificate of completion
This class is an independent-study course. Students will have all the resources needed to successfully complete the course within the online material. A student helpdesk is available for technical support during the course enrollment.