Variability in staff reports of the frequency of challenging behavior

Information was collected from 88 staff about their observations of the occ urrence and frequency of challenging behaviors in 22 individuals with devel opmental disabilities with whom they worked. Staff reports suggested consid erable variability in challenging behavior in the presence of different sta ff and, from day to day, in the presence of the same staff. Variability was greater for stereotyped than for aggressive/destructive behavior, and for more frequent behavior. Managers reported generally less challenging behavi or than their staff. The validity of the findings was discussed and their i mplications for research and practice considered. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.