First Step Is To Rule Out Medical Reasons Causing Behaviour

Behaviour Analysts recommend for parents to first get their child checked by a medical practitioner before trying to implement behavioural interventions.

The reason a parent may be having issues with their child’s behaviour with regards negative behaviour/sleep/eating/ toileting may be stemming from a physical problem that needs addressed.

Examples Given By A Child Therapist Of Behaviour Challenges That Could Be Stemming From Underlying Medical Reasons:

* A non-verbal child banging their head repeatedly due to the frustration of having a headache/toothache/feeling unwell, etc. & not being able to communicate how they feel may instead be mistakenly viewed as a child who is having a tantrum & needs help managing anger.

*A child may have pains in their stomach due to a physical problem but it may be assumed to be anxiety.

* A child may have issues with their throat that may cause discomfort when swallowing & it may be the reason they are refusing food but this can sometimes come across as the child being a fussy eater.

* A child may have a Urinary Tract Infection which can lead to the child having accidents or it may be too sore to pass a bowel movement & this may be why a child is withholding.

There are many other possible scenarios that a mother or father may come across on their parenting journey, that may look behavioural, but actually have physical reasons behind. This is why getting the all clear from a doctor should be the first port of call.
Once the doctor confirms that there is no underlying medical reasons then addressing the issue through Behavioural Intervention with the help of a Behaviour Therapist is the next step.

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