A SURVEY OF AGGRESSIVE-BEHAVIOR AMONG A POPULATION OF PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY IN QUEENSLAND

A survey was conducted on aggressive behaviour within a population of 2412 persons with intellectual disability in Queensland, Australia. Tw o hundred and sixty-one individuals were identified who engaged in at least one form of aggressive behaviour, yielding an overall prevalence of 11 %. The relative prevalence of aggressive behaviour was higher a mong institutionalized persons (35%) when compared to those living in group homes (17%) or other community-based facilities (3%). The aggres sive behaviour sample included a higher percentage of males (64%). Mos t were described as functioning in the severe/profound (54%) or modera te (31%) range of intellectual disability with one-third having no int elligible speech. Two-thirds of the sample received medication for the ir challenging behaviour, while only one-third had behavioural program mes. Eighty per cent engaged in three or more-forms of aggression. Man y also displayed self-injury (34%) or property destruction (30%). Surv eys of aggressive behaviour may prove useful for coordinating services .