The effects of staff training on staff confidence and challenging behavior in services for people with autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

The effects of a 3 day training course in the management of aggressive behaviour in services for people with autism spectrum disorders were investigated using a quasiexperimental design. An experimental group received training over a 10-month period and a contrast group, which had received training before this study, did not. Staff training increased carer confidence, but there were no training effects of measures of staff coping, support or perceived control of challenging behaviours. Staff reports of service user challenging behaviour management difficulties decreased in both the experimental and contrast groups. This study showed that staff training can increase staff confidence in managing aggression in people with autism spectrum disorders. Staff training and aggression 3 The effects of staff training on staff confidence and challenging behavior in services for people with autism spectrum disorders. Aggressive behavior in people with mental retardation in community settings is shown by approximately 2-15% of children and adolescents and approximately 10-15% of adults (Rojahn & Tasse, 1996.) Aggression has many negative consequences, including rejection by peers, staff and family members, exclusion from integrated settings, use of restrictive behavioral practices, increased use of psychotropic medications, injuries to self, peers and staff, and increased costs (McDonell & Sturmey, 1993.) In response to this

Providing training in positive behavioural support and physical interventions for parents of children with autism and related behavioural difficulties

“…After the training, at least half of the families were able to negotiate daily life during the subsequent 12 weeks without recourse to physical restraint. This supports the findings of studies concerning the training of professionals, which suggest that providing appropriate training can increase confidence and reduce burnout and the perceived level of challenging behaviour experienced (McDonnell et al ., ; Mills and Rose, ).…”

Teachers’ Beliefs about the Factors Affecting the Positive Outcome of Intervention in Managing Challenging Behaviors of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

“…This leads to better staff performance and better outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities (McGill et al, 2007). It also appears to significantly increase staff's confidence in the ability to control challenging behaviors (Allen & Tynan, 2000;McDonnell et al, 2008).…”

Effectiveness of dysphagia training for adult learning disabilities support workers

“…There has been a small body of research on the effectiveness of training delivered to staff working with people with intellectual disabilities (Chadwick & Joliffe ; Mackey & Dodd ; McDonnell et al . ). Mackey & Dodd () gathered feedback from their trainees on what components were the most and least favourite part of training.…”

“…Other authors found that their training which had practical components was effective in increasing staff confidence (McDonnell et al . ) and knowledge (Chadwick & Joliffe ).…”