How to Stop Inappropriate Behavior in the Mentally Challenged

Some 90 percent of people who live with mental challenges are only mildly disabled developmentally, according to ASportingChance, which notes these individuals "have below average IQs and often have problems with social behavior." If a person with mental challenges cannot communicate clearly what he needs or feels, he may become frustrated and act out in an inappropriate manner. You may need to figure out how to curb such behavior in someone who does not understand how his actions lead to negative reactions from others. Try a behavioral therapy approach to managing inappropriate behavior.

Instructions

• 1

  Observe the person's inappropriate behavior in context to determine possible causes.

• 2

  Engage the person in conversation. Listen to what she says, and calmly communicate in a way that she can understand.

• 3

  Enforce consistent behavior by implementing the same discipline each time inappropriate behavior occurs.

• 4

  Work with a doctor, physical therapist or occupational therapist to determine a course of action for dealing with inappropriate behavior.

• 5

  Set the person up for success. Remove from the environment any stimulus that elicits inappropriate behavior and react promptly when the behavior occurs.