PEOPLE WITH LEARNING-DISABILITIES AND CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR - THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE REFERRED AND NOT REFERRED TO SPECIALIST TEAMS

The characteristics of two samples of people with learning disabilitie s and severely challenging behaviour were examined. The experimental s ample comprised subjects who had been referred to two specialist chall enging behaviour services in separate counties. The comparison sample comprised subjects from the same counties who were not referred or acc epted for specialist intervention. No significant differences were fou nd between the samples in terms of age, gender, social impairment, dep endency characteristics, ability levels and mental health. Significant differences between them were found in the nature and severity of abe rrant behaviour presented, as assessed by their carers. The implicatio ns of these findings are discussed with regard to how the term 'severe ly challenging behaviour' is defined in practice.