Speech-Language Pathologists’ Experiences With Challenging Behavior in Practice

This exploratory study examined the experiences with and perceptions of challenging behavior of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) serving preschool and school-age children. The sample included 106 SLPs between the ages of 23 and 68 years, mostly located in the United States. Participants completed a survey of 40 questions about their own personal experiences with challenging behaviors. SLPs reported off-task behaviors to be the most frequently encountered, followed by defiant behaviors, internalizing behaviors, and aggressive behaviors. SLPs perceived the most problematic to be off-task behaviors, followed by aggressive behaviors, internalizing behaviors, and defiant behaviors. SLPs’ level of experience was not associated with their perceptions of problem behaviors but was associated with their self-rated behavior management skills. Behavior management training was related to their self-reported behavior management skills. This study provides preliminary data on SLPs’ perceptions and experiences with challenging behaviors.