Challenging behaviour in children with developmental disabilities: an overview of behavioural assessment and treatment methods

Abstract

SUMMARY Challenging behaviours often co-occur at high rates among those with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Challenging behaviours, including self-injury, aggression and property destruction, can be associated with social impairment and increased caregiver demands and stress. These behaviours often arise from and are maintained by a combination of biological and environmental risk factors throughout the lifespan. Given the impact of challenging behaviours on development, function-based assessment and intervention approaches are crucial. The prevalence, risk factors, assessment tools and evidence-based treatment options utilised for individuals with developmental disorders are discussed.

Teacher‐ and parent‐reported trajectories of maladaptive behaviors among individuals with autism and non‐spectrum delays

“…The present study has important implications for clinical practice. Although much intervention work has been devoted to the treatment of challenging behaviors in ASD (Montgomery et al, 2014;Tevis & Matson, 2022), our study highlights specific areas of clinical need. Given the consistent pattern of teacher-and parent-reported maladaptive behaviors over time, there is a need for multisystem interventions to improve functioning across settings.…”

Stopping inappropriate medication of children with intellectual disability, autism or both: the STOMP–STAMP initiative

“…Interested readers may want to refer to a recent article in this journal by Tevis & Matson (2022), which details the behavioural assessment and nonpharmacological treatment of intellectually disabled children with behaviours that challenge and lists many useful questionnaires and psychological interventions.…”

“…Children with intellectual disability are much more likely than neurotypical children to also have other neurodevelopmental disorders and many have autism and/or ADHD as part of their disability (Antshel 2006; Faraone 2017). It is known that ADHD is underdiagnosed in both children and adults with intellectual disability (Clark 2018; Xenitidis 2020). This is probably at least partly the result of the historic ICD-10 and DSM-IV not allowing concurrent diagnoses of autism and ADHD, which has been corrected in the updated guidance (ICD-11 and DSM-5) as more research has become available to show that intellectual disability, autism and ADHD are very often comorbid (World Health Organization 1993, 2022; American Psychiatric Association 1994, 2013; Clark 2018; Bougeard 2021).…”

Neurodevelopmental disorders including intellectual disability: a clinical tool kit for mental health professionals

“…In this first of two themed issues on neurodevelopmental disorders, we focus on clinical practice guidance and clinical tool kits for assessment and management of these disorders and associated conditions, such as behaviours that challenge. In their article on developmental disorders in children, Tevis & Matson (2022) discuss prevalence, assessment tools, risk factors and evidence-based treatment options. Hassiotis & Rudra (2022) describe a stepped-care model for behaviours that challenge in adults with intellectual disability, within the context of the relative lack of single interventions showing clinical and cost-effectiveness.…”