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Can we reduce the prevalence of challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities?

McGill, Peter (2008) Can we reduce the prevalence of challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities? In: Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. 52 (8-9). p. 666. Wiley (doi:10.1111/j.1365-2788.2008.01085.x) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:15524)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2788.2008.01085.x

Abstract

This paper argues for a paradigm shift in our thinking about challeng-ing behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities. Traditionally, suchbehaviour is conceptualized as an individual problem requiring assess-ment and treatment. Prevalence is measured by the percentage ofindividuals displaying challenging behaviour. Epidemiological studiespoint primarily to ‘at risk’ characteristics of individuals. Interventionfocuses on changing the individual or changing the way in which theirbehaviour is managed. I argue that such an approach is insufficient.Effective approaches to individual intervention have not reduced theprevalence of challenging behaviour. We should see challenging behav-iour as a ‘public health’ (as well as individual) issue and, consequently,take a more systemic approach. Specifically I will argue that: we should stop thinking of challenging behaviour as just a character-istic of ‘at risk’ individuals; we should measure prevalence by the frequency/severity of incidentsas well as the percentage of individuals who display it; we should study the surrounding system-level meta-contingencies as well as contingencies surrounding individual behaviour;•we should extend intervention from treating the individual to reducing the prevalence of challenging behaviour.

Item Type: Conference or workshop item (Paper)
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2008.01085.x
Additional information: Meeting Abstract
Subjects: L Education > LC Special aspects of education
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Depositing User: Maureen Cook
Date Deposited: 23 Sep 2009 11:10 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:53 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/15524 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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