Behaviour Explained

Understanding Behaviour to Provide Better Support

Behaviour is a form of communication. Whether it stems from anxiety or deeper unmet needs, recognising patterns helps us respond with empathy and clarity. By understanding what drives behaviour, we can create supportive environments that promote safety, connection, and growth.

Four Behavioural Indicators of Anxiety

Anxiety often reveals itself through behavioural patterns that may be perceived as challenging. Recognising these signs is crucial for offering compassionate and effective support.

Anger
Anxiety can trigger defensive behaviours that manifest as frustration or irritability. These reactions are not acts of aggression but natural responses to internal distress and perceived threats.
Avoidance
Individuals experiencing anxiety may avoid specific situations, people, or environments to reduce their discomfort. This coping mechanism, while protective in the short term, can reinforce anxiety over time.
Constant Worry and Overthinking
To gain a sense of control, anxious individuals often overthink and over-plan. While intended to reduce uncertainty, this behaviour can lead to chronic stress and difficulty enjoying spontaneous moments.
Lack of Focus
Anxiety can cause a preoccupation with internal thoughts, making it difficult to concentrate on external tasks. This mental distraction may be misinterpreted as disinterest or carelessness.

Recognising these patterns allows us to respond with empathy and guide individuals toward healthy coping strategies.

All Behaviour is Communication

Every behaviour has a function, purpose, and intent. What may seem disruptive or concerning is often an attempt to express a need or respond to an internal state. When we understand the "why" behind a behaviour, we are better equipped to respond constructively.

The four Functions of Behaviour

Sensory
Seeks stimulation or regulation through sensory input (e.g., rocking, tapping).
Tangible
Gains access to desired objects, activities, or outcomes.
Escape
Avoids or removes undesired tasks, environments, or interactions.
Attention
Seeks interaction or recognition from others, whether positive or negative.

Understanding the Reasons Behind Behaviour

Behaviour is often a response to a person’s physical state, sensory experiences, communication challenges, organisational skills, social understanding, or motivation. By recognising these underlying factors, we can respond with greater empathy and provide the right support to help them succeed.

Physical or Medical Needs

A person’s behaviour may sometimes reflect physical discomfort or medical issues. They might be unwell, in pain, injured, tired, hungry, thirsty, or reacting to medication. In some cases, their actions are an attempt to communicate that something is wrong physically or that they are experiencing discomfort.

Sensory Processing

Sensory experiences can play a significant role in behaviour. A person may feel overwhelmed by certain sensations and need to withdraw, or they might actively seek specific sensory input. At times, their senses may provide confusing or conflicting information, leading to unexpected responses.

Communication

When instructions are unclear or processing time is insufficient, misunderstandings can occur. Some individuals may not know what is expected of them or how to ask for clarification. They might communicate more effectively through actions than words, interpret language literally, or have difficulty understanding non-verbal cues such as facial expressions or gestures.

Organisation

Difficulties with organisation can affect task completion. This may include challenges in following multi-step instructions, prioritising tasks, or knowing when and how to start, pause, or finish an activity. For some, making what might seem like “common sense” decisions or drawing conclusions can also be challenging.

Restricted and Repetitive Behaviour

Transitions can be difficult, particularly when a routine or schedule changes unexpectedly. A personal routine—such as packing a school bag in a specific way—may be disrupted, causing stress. Some individuals may have intense interests in certain topics and find it frustrating to shift focus. Behaviour that was once helpful or age-appropriate can also become a habitual pattern over time.

Social Understanding

Not everyone intuitively understands social norms, and behaviour that feels natural in one setting may be considered inappropriate in another. Some people may struggle to interpret social cues, maintain polite interactions, or see a situation from another person’s perspective. They might not know how to apologise effectively, resolve conflict, or could misinterpret others’ actions as hostile. In some cases, their behaviour may simply be a way to seek social interaction.

Motivation

Motivation plays a crucial role in how tasks are approached. Fear of failure, a lack of connection to the task’s purpose, or the desire to avoid something unpleasant can all influence behaviour. A person may also avoid tasks that feel too challenging or see no reason to follow instructions if the benefits are unclear to them.

Behaviours of Concern

"Behaviours of concern" are actions that pose a risk to the well-being of the individual or others. These behaviours often indicate unmet needs, distress, or difficulties with communication and regulation.

Types of Behaviours of Concern

Physical Aggression

Includes hitting, kicking, biting, scratching, or throwing objects. These behaviours require de-escalation and preventative strategies to ensure safety.
Verbal Aggression

Involves yelling, name-calling, threats, or verbal abuse. This behaviour often stems from emotional overwhelm and can damage relationships if left unaddressed.
Self-Injurious Behaviour (SIB)

Deliberate actions causing self-harm (e.g., cutting, head-banging). These behaviours often signal deep emotional distress or sensory regulation needs and require specialised intervention.
Property Damage/Destruction

Deliberate harm to physical items or environments, such as breaking furniture or tearing materials. Often a response to frustration or an inability to express emotions verbally.
Non-Compliance to Directives

Persistent refusal to follow instructions or expectations. This may reflect control-seeking behaviour, misunderstanding, or underlying anxiety.
Social Withdrawal/Isolation

Marked disengagement from social settings. Persistent withdrawal may indicate anxiety, depression, or trauma and requires gentle, supportive engagement.
Repetitive or Restrictive Behaviours

Includes ritualistic actions, insistence on sameness, or intense focus on specific topics. These behaviours may provide comfort or structure but can limit flexibility and adaptability.
Socially Inappropriate Conduct

Behaviours that violate social norms (e.g., inappropriate touching, excessive proximity, or public outbursts). These actions often stem from a lack of understanding or impulse control.
Inappropriate Sexualised Behaviour

Includes non-consensual or contextually inappropriate sexual actions or language. Addressing these behaviours requires education, boundaries, and sensitivity.

A Compassionate Response

Behaviours whether rooted in anxiety or presenting as behaviours of concern—are not simply "bad behaviours." They are signals. They communicate unmet needs, emotional distress, or difficulties with communication, regulation, or sensory input.

A trauma-informed, person-centred approach that considers context, function, and individual strengths is key to supporting behaviour in a respectful and effective way.

Have questions or ready to book a session? We’d love to hear from you!

Simply click here to reach out — whether you’d like more information, need help deciding, or want to secure your spot. We’re here to make it easy for you.

Page updated

Report abuse