The University of Newcastle, Australia

How to reduce or prevent challenging behaviour in young children using social and communication skills is the focus of a new series of workshops being launched in Newcastle tomorrow.

Developed by staff from the University of Newcastle's Centre for Special Education and Disability Studies (CSEDS), expert practitioners in the field and the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, the workshops are designed for people working in early childhood intervention services.

Associate Professor Michael Arthur-Kelly from the CSEDS said the workshops would help staff respond more effectively to children with behavioural problems, with a focus on preventative and educational strategies using a family-centred approach.

"Challenging behaviour covers a range of phenomena like tantrums, aggression or isolation, but generally it is any behaviour where the physical or emotional wellbeing of the child or others is at risk," he said. "The children we deal with often have a range of developmental disabilities and specific needs that arise from other conditions, such as language delay or autism.

"Across a series of three workshops, staff will consider research-based strategies to assist them to design and implement individual support programs for children to address challenging behaviour."

The workshops will be held at six locations across NSW simultaneously, including Newcastle, Goonellabah, Goulburn, Sydney, Penrith and Wagga Wagga.

The project has been funded by the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care's Stronger Together initiative through TUNRA (The University of Newcastle Research Associates).

Media are invited to attend the launch of the workshops tomorrow, Friday 27 July at 9.30am in the Lambert Room, University of Newcastle Union Building.