From time to time, people of all ages act out. What does it mean to act out? It generally means that people act in ways that draw attention to themselves and in ways uncharacteristic of their usual state.
When an individual acts out, I always ponder the following questions:
- Did I do something to create that behavior?
- Did something change in the person's life or environment?
- Does the person have a need that is not acknowledged or fed?
- Can I help in any way?
Recently I noticed a person acting out. I've thought about it, and did figure out a few ways I may be able to help and comfor the individual more.
We all act out from time to time, and sometimes we don't even know why we do it. Generally when that happens our loved ones talk to us about it and help us to figure out why we're acting out of character--they help us out.
As an educator, when children acted out, it was always a sign that needed something different. It was an indication that there was a problem to solve.
It's best to deal with acting out behavior sooner than later as the underlying causes of that behavior generally do not just disappear without appropriate intervention. Onward.