2. What is this child communicating?

Using what you've learned from the previous screen, let's now look at some of the common behaviours found among children in residential care that are challenging.

Look at the behaviours below and, for each, think about:

  • what the child may be thinking and feeling
  • why they are behaving in this way

We have included a possible explanation for each (of course there may be other explanations you may have thought of that are plausible).



Jodie often ignoring instructions?

Jodie is supersensitive to everything around her and cannot hear instructions among everything else.

Jamal always exploding?

Jamal finds it difficult to be wrong or make mistakes.

Rebecca is refusing to go to school?

Rebecca is very worried about failing or not doing well.

Kelly ‘falls to pieces’ when she is away from the home?

Kelly feels safer in places and with people she knows. She gets panicky in strange places.

Wesley refusing to be helped?

Wesley wants certainty in his life and never wants to feel helpless again, so he finds it very hard to accept any help.

Harrison taking other pupils' belongings?

Harrison had little of his own in his early life. Stealing is often linked to early loss, leading to difficulties in knowing the difference between 'mine' and 'yours'.

Charlie is sometimes very quiet and withdrawn?

Charlie finds it safer not to respond when he feels stressed.

Adam being sulky and refusing to speak to anyone?

Adam has no words to describe how he feels. For him, looking sulky is a communication.

Ben's behaviour suddenly getting much worse?

Something has happened that is hard for him to cope with. Stress can be in the past, now or in the future. Maybe someone new, or a painful anniversary, is coming?

Merline frequently telling lies?

Because of early losses in her life she feels desperate to be liked and will say what she thinks will please.