THE SIX (6) TYPES OF CHALLENGING KIDS PART ONE – THE MANIPULATOR

"Behaviour is our best effort at any given time and situation with the skills we have to obtain what we want"

 

THE SIX (6) TYPES OF CHALLENGING KIDS

PART ONE – THE MANIPULATOR

There are six easily identifiable personas that children with challenging behaviour fit into according to Clinical Psychologist Andrew Fuller.

They are:          Manipulators

                        Negotiators

                        Debaters

                        Competitors

                        Dare Devils

                        Passive Resisters

The Manipulator (Henry Kissinger, Angelica - Rugrats): these are kids who have the ability to wrap people, especially adults, around their little finger, and they often dominate and control other people. Manipulators can often become Bullies and then turn to playing ‘cute’ when adults are around. They are single minded and like to take charge and tell people what to do. They often have successful careers in business and high level corporate life.

Manipulators are excellent at adapting their behaviour to suit their environment and so their behaviours can vary significantly in different settings. They know how to push buttons to get their way, and when they fall out it is usually in a big way. They not only need to be the centre of attention but they have a driven desire to be the best at any cost. Their motto can be summed up in ‘the end justifies the means’ and will often lie and bring down others in order to win.

The best way to begin to change a manipulator into a reciprocator is to increase your surveillance, get them to come along with you on outings such as shopping and small errands. They may protest, but persevere as these kids need to basically be over-parented. Best results are achieved when they are not left to their own devises but are always being included or accompanied by an adult, or have an adult always keeping an eye on them.