Behaviour: the Iceberg Analysis
Challenging behaviours are usually caused by anxiety that occurs as a result of an underlying difficulty related to the triad of impairment. Even physically aggressive behaviour, when analysed, usually serves a purpose rather than being deliberately manipulative.
An example of an Iceberg Analysis is illustrated below.
The following is a useful way to identify and analyse behaviour. This information will help determine strategies to encourage positive change.
Bullying
Due to their difficulties with social understanding and literal interpretation, students with Asperger syndrome often have difficulties differentiating between teasing and bullying, and believe all incidents to be of equal severity.
Strategies to improve social understanding
Difficulty | Suggested strategies |
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Student is not able to determine severity of incidents, and reports every minor event
Peers often interpret this behaviour as 'telling tales' |
- Using a scale can be a useful visual way of teaching what incidents should be reported. On a scale from 1 to 10 incidents are rated according to their severity. Those above an agreed point should be reported in line with the school's bullying policy. See example at the bottom of this page.
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A student over-reacts to every minor incident
They may also find it hard to distinguish between accidental physical contact and deliberate actions |
- Explaining the incident through comic strip cartoon characters to include the thoughts of the others involved can help to increase understanding. A simple drawing using pin men will be sufficient.
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