‘Key skills' building in schools as a possible approach to reducing and preventing challenging behaviour

BackgroundBuilding ‘key skills’ may help prevent the development of challenging behaviour in children with an intellectual disability. The aim of this paper was to extend the current limited evidence in this area.MethodWe undertook two studies with children with an intellectual disability in school settings: (1) a cross-sectional replication study exploring the relationship between ‘key skills’ and challenging behaviour. (2) a longitudinal study follow-up exploring change in ‘key skill’ levels and challenging behaviour.ResultsThe replication study recruited 74 participants, those scoring lowest in ‘key skill’ had a 94% chance of having challenging behaviour; those with the highest scores had a 6% chance. The follow-up study recruited 39 participants, we found a significant increase in children’s ‘key skill’ level (p < .001) and a decrease in their challenging behaviour ((p = 0.046).ConclusionBuilding ‘key skills’ in children with an intellectual disability may help reduce or prevent challenging behaviour

The theoretical and evidence‐based components of whole school approaches: An international scoping review

The whole school approach (WSA) is often used in schools as a means of transformative change across many areas and involves many stakeholders. Many of the approaches used in WSAs are underpinned by psychological, social and educational theories. Although many of these approaches focus on vulnerable groups such as bullied and excluded children, relatively few of these approaches aim to support children with special educational needs (SEN). This specific vulnerable group includes children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders, among many others. A rigorous, theory‐driven approach to supporting such children in schools is essential in ensuring positive academic and developmental outcomes for such students. Therefore, a scoping review was undertaken to explore the current literature on the use of WSAs, their theoretical and evidence‐based components as well as key areas in which they are utilised and how they are evaluated. After searching in seven (EBSCOhost, ERIC, British Education Index, Open Dissertation Search, PsycINFO, Medline Ovid, Child Development and Adolescent Studies) databases and completing a rigorous screening process, 21 papers were included in the review. Recommendations for further research involving the development and implementation of a WSA to support children with special educational needs are made, with emphasis placed on the importance of a clear theoretical underpinning, interdependent components, clear outcome measures and co‐production