Challenging behavior occurs when the demands and

expectations being placed upon a child outstrip the skills

he has to respond adaptively ~Ross Greene
Understanding why a kid is challenging is the first and
most important part of helping him. ~Ross Greene
Skills frequently found lagging in challenging kids:

Difficultyhandlingtransitions,shiftingfromonemindsetortasktoanother
Difficultydoingthingsinalogicalsequenceorprescribedorder
Difficultypersistingonchallengingortedioustasks
Poorsenseoftime
Difficultymaintainingfocus
Difficultyconsideringthelikelyoutcomesorconsequencesofactions(impulsive)
Difficultyconsideringarangeofsolutionstoaproblem
Difficultyexpressingconcerns,needs,orthoughtsinwordsq
Difficultymanagingemotionalresponsetofrustrationsoastothinkrationally
Chronicirritabilityand/oranxietysignificantlyimpedecapacityforproblem
solvingorheightenfrustration
Difficultyseeinggrays/concrete,literal,black&white,thinking
Difficultydeviatingfromrules,routine
Difficultyhandlingunpredictability,ambiguity,uncertainty,novelty
Difficultyshiftingfromoriginalidea,plan,orsolution
Difficultytakingintoaccountsituationalfactorsthatwouldsuggesttheneedto
adjustaplanofaction
Inflexible,inaccurateinterpretations/cognitivedistortionsorbiases(e.g.,
Everyonesouttogetme,Nobodylikesme,Youalwaysblameme,Itsnot
fair,Imstupid)
Difficultyattendingtooraccuratelyinterpretingsocialcues/poorperceptionof
socialnuances
Difficultystartingconversations,enteringgroups,connectingwithpeople/lacking
otherbasicsocialskills
Difficultyseekingattentioninappropriateways
Difficultyappreciatinghowhis/herbehaviorisaffectingothers
Difficultyempathizingwithothers,appreciatinganotherpersonsperspectiveor
pointofview
Difficultyappreciatinghows/heiscomingacrossorbeingperceivedbyothers
Sensory/motordifficulties