Page 68 - Demo

60 %u00a9 Elklan Training Limited 2025Elklan Supporting Gestalt Language Processing %u2013 a Total Communication ApproachA child or young person may use repetitive physical movements as a means of supporting emotional regulation or stimming behaviour.A checklist of questions can be helpful when thinking about the antecedent and physical movement:%u2022 Has the wrong meaning been attached to their actions?%u2022 Has there been a positive response to a physical gestalt/their echopraxia?%u2022 Is the action indicating a sensory need or emotional need and has this been addressed?%u2022 Have they demonstrated a want or need by pulling/pushing, eye pointing, going over to an item and this has not been responded to?A child or young person is demonstrating self-injurious behaviour, if a person physically harms themselves. The National Autistic Society describes this behaviour as %u2018This might be head banging on floors, walls or other surfaces, hand or arm biting, hair pulling, eye gouging, face or head slapping, skin picking, scratching or pinching, forceful head shaking.%u2019If a child or young person is demonstrating self-injurious behaviour this would be of significant concern and the relevant safeguarding team would be involved. Observation of self-injurious behaviour should be shared and recorded in accordance with the safeguarding procedures in the child or young person%u2019s setting.7.5 WHAT IS TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE?The working definition of Trauma-informed practice according to Gov.co.uk 2022 is%u2018Trauma-informed practice is an approach to health and care interventions which is grounded in the understanding that trauma exposure can impact an individual%u2019s neurological, biological, psychological and social development%u2019.When working with children and young people and supporting their behaviour it is important to know any relevant history of trauma and how this may relate to their behaviour. An adverse or unexpected reaction, a change in behaviour or mood may occur if:%u2022 Unknown triggers from past events that have induced stress, fear or harm may not have been communicated by a child or young person%u2022 An unknown trigger e.g. a significant day of the year, a smell, a colour, an action etc. may induce a significant reaction.Social and/or mental health care professionals may need to be referred to should there be a need for any investigation or specific support or safeguarding measures in relation to trauma.