D for Defiant: Positive Behaviour Support

Defiant behaviour may look like refusing to obey by using sarcasm, backchat, rule breaking, rude remarks, and swearing. A child can persistently exhibit defiant behaviour in different settings. (e.g., within a childcare setting, early childhood centre or school, primary or secondary school, disability support services, or youth services). This can dramatically change the climate of these settings a considerable amount of time and energy can be spent on the child showing the defiant behaviour, which can have a deleterious effect on the quality of the learning experience for all the children. Supporting a defiant child leaves adults feeling defeated, exhausted, and unsure about what to do next.

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It feels like everything becomes a never-ending battle of wills. Adults become concerned that each time they give in, they are reinforcing the defiant behaviour; they worry about what that is teaching the child and how it is going to affect the child in the long term. It can also create stress, doubt and conflict between adults supporting the child. Research consistently shows that managing behaviour is linked to staff experiencing high levels of stress, burnout and job dissatisfaction.

It feels as if everything becomes a never-ending battle of wills. Adults become concerned that each time they give in, they are reinforcing the defiant behaviour; they worry about what that is teaching the child and how it is going to affect the child in the long term. It can also create stress, doubt, and conflict between adults supporting the child.

Based on the evidence-based Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approach, this user-friendly guide, D for Defiant, will help you develop a comprehensive PBS plan step-by-step. You will learn how to do the following:

  1. Determine why your child is defiant (assess),
  2. Respond appropriately when your child is defiant (manage), and
  3. Minimise or eliminate the occurrence of defiant behaviour (prevent).

Use the practical tools (checklists, forms, and strategies) provided to develop comprehensive PBS plans that can be used to support children of all ages consistently in all contexts. This invaluable resource is useful for parents, caregivers, childcare educators, primary and secondary educators, supervisory, allied health professionals, and mental health professionals.

Download Accompanying Forms Resource