New Insights on Challenging Behavior: Assessment and Treatment Across the Lifespan

Challenging behavior is prevalent and persistent in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and is considered a public health concern. Challenging behavior in general, and aggressive behavior in particular pose problems in behavioral management, which are the main reasons for emergency and hospital admissions and have a significant negative impact on people’s health and quality of life. This chapter reviews the definition, prevalence, and diverse etiology of challenging behavior and its assessment and treatment across the lifespan, including information on service models, direct care staff, and the latest directions and research findings on the topic.