PARENTS REPORTS OF THEIR CHILDRENS CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS - RESULTS OFA STATEWIDE SURVEY

Parents of children with autism and related disabilities were surveyed about their children's challenging behaviors and resources they felt would be helpful in managing these behaviors. Responses indicated a hi gh frequency of challenging behaviors, including many aggressive and o ther destructive behaviors occurring more frequently than once per day . Teachers, family members, and published materials were identified as the most helpful of currently available resources; contingency manage ment, as the most successful management approach. Respondents noted ma ny additional needed resources. Results were discussed in relation to continuing research on families' needs, strengths, and judgments perta ining to the demands related to disabilities and challenging behaviors .