Defining various challenging behaviors is a critical step in responding to and treating the behavior. Definitions must be objective and clear, with well-established understanding of when a response begins and ends. The operational definition must also include examples and non-example such that any observer clearly understands what a behavior is and is not. Below is a list of common topographies and corresponding operational definitions for challenging behaviors.
- Aggression: Any completed, attempted, or blocked response that could cause injury to another person. This includes but is not limited to slapping, scratching, kicking, pinching, pushing, head butting, and throwing objects at people. Example includes: forceful contact of hand (open or closed) or arm (with or without another object) against any part of the therapist's body. Non-example includes: giving high-five, giving someone a hug.
- Self-injury: Any completed or blocked response that is self-directed such that repetition of the behavior over time has or will cause bodily injury. This includes but is not limited to head banging, self-hitting, biting, eye-poking, hair pulling, and punching. Example includes: forceful contact or attempted contact of client's hand (open or closed, with or without object) or foot against any part of the client's own body from at least 2 inches away or greater. Non-examples includes: scratching head, tapping foot against floor.
- Property destruction: Any completed or blocked response that could cause damage to materials or any other objects or surfaces within the immediate environment. This includes throwing objects, kicking/hitting objects, over-turning furniture, climbing on objects, and swiping objects from a table or other surface. Example includes: Patient projects an object from a distance of at least 6 inches with force (not directed at therapist). Non-example includes: Playing catch during play or bumping into table and knocking off materials.
- Elopement: Any completed, attempted, or blocked instance of a patient leaving unsupervised. Example includes: moving from a supervised room or area without permission or moving more than 5 feet away from the therapist. Non-example includes leaving assigned area when instructed to do so.
- Flopping: Any completed, attempted, or blocked instance in which the client's body falls from a standing position to the floor or ground such that his or her midsection (i.e., back, buttocks, stomach, or shins) contacts the floor or ground. Non-example includes laying on floor playing with toy or watching television.
