Perception regarding challenging behavior among children with down syndrome

Abstract

Title: “SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS’ PERCEPTION REGARDING CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR AMONG CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME”. The main objective of the study is to find out special education teacher’s perception regarding challenging behavior of children with Down syndrome. The study is based on a phenomenological qualitative research design paradigm. More than 2 years experienced teachers’ were the participants in this study. In this study 10 samples were selected using a purposive (non-probability) sampling technique in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Face-to-face, semi structured open-ended interviews were conducted with transcripts and electronic voice recordings taken for further analysis. Content analysis specifically focused on keywords and themes was used to initially summary the data for later analysis. The results indicated that a significant majority of teachers’ did not have an understanding of challenging behavior’s although they mentioned some initiative which they have taken for handling the children with down syndrome with challenging behavior. No teachers in the study were able to describe and provide names of more complex and long-term initiatives commonly used to manage challenging behaviors. All participant believe that behavior is a form of communication and those children were often trying to communicate a message through their behaviors. 8 out of 10 participants had taken part in training. The training was on communication basically. Some short term training they have done on SLT also. 2 participant didn’t take part in the training. But very few people had concept about Speech and Language Therapy but not so clear. The results indicate that further training of teachers’ is necessary in the areas understanding challenging behaviors. The study also highlights the need for Speech and Language Therapy to promote their services and develop an understanding on SLT. SLT can help them by enriching their knowledge on initiatives taken for CB and also gather more specific knowledge about DS Keywords: Challenging Behavior, Initiatives, Down syndrome, SLT