No Fighting, No Biting, No Screaming: How to Make Behaving Positively Possible for People with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities

by Bo Hejlskov Elvén

Overview

Fighting, biting, screaming and other behaviours that challenge the people dealing with them are often triggered by unsuitable surroundings or unrealistic demands. In this fresh and effective approach, Bo Hejlskov Elvén shows how identifying and adapting these problem areas can dramatically improve behaviour in people with autism and other developmental disabilities.

This practical book explains how to reassess difficult situations and offers easy and effective strategies for eliciting positive responses without resorting to restraint and punishment. Based on the successful low-arousal approach, it is a proven method of stepping away from distress and towards calm, improving the quality of life of everyone involved. Helpful examples covering a wide range of developmental disabilities from autism to Down's Syndrome illustrate the positive changes that can be achieved.

This empowering book will be invaluable to anyone attempting to deal with unproductive behaviour in individuals with developmental disabilities, whether at home or in a professional environment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781849051262
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	09/15/2010
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Bo Hejlskov Elvén is a Clinical Psychologist based in Sweden. He is an independent consultant and lecturer on autism and challenging behaviour, and an accredited Studio III trainer. In 2009, he was awarded the Puzzle Piece of the Year prize by the Swedish Autism Society for his lecturing and counselling on challenging behaviour.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

1 Challenging Behaviour: Definitions and Theories 13

What is challenging behaviour? 13

Dangerous behaviour? Or just difficult? 18

Throwing the blame on somebody else 21

History: theories and therapies 24

A new outlook 32

Background to our conceptions 40

Summary 46

2 Conceptions and Misconceptions 47

The importance of self-control 47

Methods for changing behaviour 52

Consequence and structure 67

Conceptions of the causes of behaviour 82

Summary 96

3 Adjustment of Demands 97

Methods of adjusting demands 99

Ability to respond to demands 113

Summary 115

4 Stress Factors: A Model for Explaining Chaos 116

The effects of stress 116

Basic stress factors 125

Situational stress factors 137

Warning signs 146

Signs of chaos 169

Protective or calming factors 181

Summary 194

5 When Conflict Happens: Keeping It Calm 195

Theories of affect and emotion contagion 196

The low-arousal approach 205

Creating diversions 217

Confrontation or intervention? 223

Conflict-seeking service-users 224

Summary 226

6 Looking to the Future 227

Fundamental principles 227

Leaving the past behind 229

References 231

Index 237

Editorial Reviews

The author clearly has vast experience in this field and short case studies are used throughout. These are often encouraging, demonstrating examples of solutions for what the book term unproductive behaviour. '--British Journal of Occupational Therapy

Bo Hejlskov Elven's NO FIGHTING, NO BITING, NO SCREAMING offers a fine survey of behaviors that are triggered by environment, showing how to change these problems with alternative strategies to evoke positive responses. Examples cover a range of developmental disabilities that use these behavior patterns and offer concrete ideas for changing them, making this key for health and education collections alike.--The Midwest Book Review

Elven writes with the compassion and clarity that come from years of working with service-users and their caregivers. He knows his subject very well and can communicate both the theory behind his ideas and their practical application. Examples are plentiful, and include not only stories about service-users but more subtle ones that center on people without developmental difficulties. Elven often uses himself as an example of how healthy people can still react badly to adverse conditions. We all have ways in which we struggle, and when the parallels are pointed out between people who do and who do not have developmental disabilities; it's easier to reach understanding and to maintain professional compassion. Life with a service-user sometimes seems like an endless confrontation. Elven shows that with a few changes and a different way of understanding, a better quality of life may be obtained for all.--Foreword reviews

This useful book for managing and adjusting difficult behaviors offers a fresh perspective on methods for working with people with Autism and other developmental disabilities.... The use of methods addressed in this very readable book can positively affect the lives of t hsoe with Autism and other developmental disabilities.--Virginia Child Protection Newsletter

From the Publisher

Bo Hejlskov Elven's NO FIGHTING, NO BITING, NO SCREAMING offers a fine survey of behaviors that are triggered by environment, showing how to change these problems with alternative strategies to evoke positive responses. Examples cover a range of developmental disabilities that use these behavior patterns and offer concrete ideas for changing them, making this key for health and education collections alike.

The Midwest Book Review

The author clearly has vast experience in this field and short case studies are used throughout. These are often encouraging, demonstrating examples of solutions for what the book term "unproductive behaviour". '

British Journal of Occupational Therapy

Elven writes with the compassion and clarity that come from years of working with service-users and their caregivers. He knows his subject very well and can communicate both the theory behind his ideas and their practical application. Examples are plentiful, and include not only stories about service-users but more subtle ones that center on people without developmental difficulties. Elven often uses himself as an example of how healthy people can still react badly to adverse conditions. We all have ways in which we struggle, and when the parallels are pointed out between people who do and who do not have developmental disabilities; it's easier to reach understanding and to maintain professional compassion. Life with a service-user sometimes seems like an endless confrontation. Elven shows that with a few changes and a different way of understanding, a better quality of life may be obtained for all.

Foreword reviews

This useful book for managing and adjusting difficult behaviors offers a fresh perspective on methods for working with people with Autism and other developmental disabilities.... The use of methods addressed in this very readable book can positively affect the lives of t hsoe with Autism and other developmental disabilities.

Virginia Child Protection Newsletter