Training a family in physical interventions as part of a positive behaviour support intervention for challenging behaviour

Accessible summary: Dylan has a learning disability and challenging behaviour. He was hurting himself and other people. We trained his family to help them cope safely when Dylan was aggressive. Now fewer people are getting hurt when Dylan gets angry and his parents know more about how to help him. Summary: Between 10% and 15% of people with a learning disability have behaviour that challenges others, and half of these people live within the family home (Emerson et al., Research in Developmental Disabilities, 2001; 22, 77). Current best practice in managing challenging behaviour combines person-centred planning, functional analysis, and proactive and reactive strategies, and teaching alternative skills to manage behaviour in a way that keeps both service user and carers safe (positive behaviour support). This study considers the case study of a young man who lives with his parents in their family home. Reactive strategies including physical interventions have been taught to the family which has allowed them to manage their son's behaviour effectively and allowed him to remain living with his family. Frequency and intensity of challenging behaviour reduced, and family confidence in managing challenging behaviour was increased.