Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Chronicity of Challenging Behaviours in People with Severe Intellectual Disabilities and/or Autism: A Total Population Sample

  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

The skills, social impairments and challenging behaviours of a total population of 166 children, with severe intellectual disabilities and/or autism, were assessed through interview with the main carers, when the children were under 15 years old (time 1). Twelve years later, 141 of these individuals were re-assessed, using the same measures (time 2). “Abnormal” behaviours tended to reduce with age and were associated with poorer language skills and poorer quality of social interaction. Individuals with most abnormal behaviours at time 1, tended to have most at time 2. Abnormal behaviour at time 2 was predicted by the presence of abnormal behaviour at time 1, poor expressive language at time 1, poor quality of social interaction at time 1 and a diagnosis of autism/autistic continuum at time 1.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • A. Baghdadli C. Pascal S. Grisli C. Aussilloux (2003) ArticleTitleRisk factors for self-injurious behaviours among 222 young children with autistic disorders Journal of Intellectual Disabilities Research 47 622–627 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2788.2003.00507.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • L. Baker D. P. Cantwell (1982) ArticleTitleDevelopmental, social and behavioural characteristics of speech and language disordered children Child Psychiatry and Human Development 12 195–206 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01812585 Occurrence Handle7128235

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • L. Bartak M. Rutter (1976) ArticleTitleDifferences between mentally retarded and normally intelligent autistic children Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia 6 109–120 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01538054 Occurrence Handle989485

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J. Beadle-Brown G. H. Murphy L. Wing J. Gould A. Shah N. Holmes (2000) ArticleTitleChanges in skills for people with intellectual disabilities: A follow-up of the Camberwell Cohort Journal of Intellectual Disabilities Research 44 12–24 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2788.2000.00245.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Beadle-Brown G. H. Murphy L. Wing J. Gould A. Shah N. Holmes (2002) ArticleTitleChanges in social impairment for people with intellectual disabilities: a follow-up of the Camberwell Cohort Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 32 195–206 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1015401814041 Occurrence Handle12108621

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • G. Berkson (1983) ArticleTitleRepetitive stereotyped behaviours American Journal of Mental Deficiency 88 239–246 Occurrence Handle6650574

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • P. Bibby S. Eikeseth N. T. Martin O. C. Mudford D. Reeves (2001) ArticleTitleProgress and outcomes for children with autism receiving parent-managed intensive interventions Research in Developmental Disabilities 22 425–447 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0891-4222(01)00082-8 Occurrence Handle11768669

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • M. M. Black V. A. Molaison M. W. Smull (1990) ArticleTitleFamilies caring for a young adult with mental retardation: Service needs and urgency of community living requests American Journal on Mental Retardation 95 32–39 Occurrence Handle2386629

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • S. A. Borthwick-Duffy (1994) Prevalence of destructive behaviours: A study of aggression, self-injury and property destruction T. D. B. Thompson Gray (Eds) Destructive behaviour in developmental disabilities: Diagnosis and treatment Sage Thousand Oaks 3–23

    Google Scholar 

  • B. E. Bromley J. Blacher (1991) ArticleTitleParental reasons for out-of-home placement of children with severe handicaps Mental Retardation 29 275–280 Occurrence Handle1836031

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • E. G. Carr V. M. Durand (1985) ArticleTitleReducing behaviour problems through functional communication training Journal of Applied Behaviour Analysis 18 111–126

    Google Scholar 

  • E. G. Carr L. Levin G. McConnachie J. I. Carlson D. C. Kemp C. E. Smith (1994) Communication-based intervention for problem behaviour: A user’s guide for producing positive change Paul H. Brookes Baltimore

    Google Scholar 

  • M. B. Caulfield J. Fischel B. D. Baryshe ParticleDe G. J. Whitehurst (1989) ArticleTitleBehavioural correlates of developmental expressive language disorder Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology 17 187–201 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00913793 Occurrence Handle2745899

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J. Chadsey-Rusch R. L. Sprague (1989) ArticleTitleMaladaptive behaviours associated with neuroleptic drug maintenance American Journal on Mental Retardation 93 607–617 Occurrence Handle2566315

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • C. Cullen K. Partidge (1981) ArticleTitleThe constructional approach: A way of using different data Apex: Journal of the British Institute of Mental Handicap 8 135–136

    Google Scholar 

  • P. W. Davidson N. N. Cain J. E. Sloane-Reeves A. Speybroech J. Segel J. Gutkin L. E. Quijano B. M. Kramer B. Porter I. Shoham E. Goldstein (1994) ArticleTitleCharacteristics of community-based individuals with mental retardation and aggressive behavioural disorders American Journal on Mental Retardation 98 704–716 Occurrence Handle8054199

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • A. M. Donnellan G. W. LaVigna N. Negri-Shultz L. L. Fassbender (1988) Progress without punishment: effective approaches for learners with behaviour problems Teacher’s College Press New York

    Google Scholar 

  • V. M. Durand (1990) Severe behaviour problems: A functional communication training approach Guilford Press New York

    Google Scholar 

  • V. M. Durand D. B. Crimmins (1988) ArticleTitleIdentifying the variables maintaining self-injurious behaviour Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 18 99–117 Occurrence Handle3372462

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • E. Emerson (1995) Challenging behaviour: Analysis and intervention in people with learning difficulties Cambridge University Press Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Emerson (2003) ArticleTitleMothers of children and adolescents with intellectual disability: Social and economic situation, mental health status, and the self-assessed social and psychological impact of the child’s difficulties Journal of Intellectual Disabilities Research 47 385–399 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2788.2003.00498.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. Emerson R. Cummings S. Barrett H. Hughes C. McCool A. Toogood (1988) ArticleTitleChallenging behaviour and community services: 2. Who are the people who challenge services? Mental Handicap 16 16–19

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Emerson C. Kiernan A. Alborz D. Reeves H. Mason R. Swarbrick L. Mason C. Hatton (2001) ArticleTitlePredicting the persistence of severe self-injurious behaviour Research in Developmental Disabilities 22 67–76 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0891-4222(00)00062-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C. Gillberg S. Steffenburg (1987) ArticleTitleOutcome and prognostic factors in infantile autism and similar conditions: A population based study of 46 cases followed through puberty Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 17 273–287 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01495061 Occurrence Handle3610999

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • I. Goldiamond (1974) ArticleTitleTowards a constructional approach to social problems Behaviourism 2 1–84

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Gould (1976) ArticleTitleLanguage development and non-verbal skills in severely mental retarded children: An epidemiological study Journal of Mental Deficiency Resources 2 129–146

    Google Scholar 

  • D. Graham M. Rutter (1968) ArticleTitleThe reliability and validity of the psychiatric assessment of the child: II Interview with the parents British Journal of Psychiatry 114 581–592 Occurrence Handle4172554

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J. C. Griffin D. E. Williams M. T. Stark B. K. Altmeyer M. Mason (1984) Self-injurious behaviour: A state-wide prevalence survey, assessment of severe cases and follow-up of aversive programmes J. C. Griffin M. T. Stark D. E. Williams B. K. Altmeyer H. K. Griffin (Eds) Advances in the treatment of self-injurious behaviour Dept. of Health and Human Services Austin, TX

    Google Scholar 

  • R. P. Hastings (2002) ArticleTitleParental stress and behaviour problems in children with developmental disability Journal of Intellectual &Developmental Disability 27 149–160

    Google Scholar 

  • P. Harris (1993) ArticleTitleThe nature and extent of aggressive behaviour amongst people with learning difficulties (mental handicap) in a single health district Journal of Intellectual Disability Research 37 221–242 Occurrence Handle8334316

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • B. A. Iwata M. F. Dorsey K. J. Slifer K. E. Bauman G. S. Richman (1982) ArticleTitleToward a functional analysis of self-injury Analysis and Intervention in Developmental Disabilities 2 3–30 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0270-4684(82)90003-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C. Kasari (2002) ArticleTitleAssessing change in early intervention programmes for children with autism Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 32 447–461 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1020546006971 Occurrence Handle12463519

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • C. Kiernan A. Alborz (1995) A different life Hester Adrian Research Centre Manchester

    Google Scholar 

  • C. Kiernan A. Alborz (1996) ArticleTitlePersistence and change in challenging and problem behaviours of young adults with intellectual disability living in the family home Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities 9 181–193

    Google Scholar 

  • C. Kiernan D. Kiernan (1994) ArticleTitleChallenging behaviour in schools for pupils with severe learning disabilities Mental Handicap Research 7 177–201

    Google Scholar 

  • C. Kiernan H. Qureshi (1993) Challenging behaviour C. Kiernan (Eds) Research to practice? Implications of research on the challenging behaviour of people with learning disability B.I.L.D. Publications Clevedon Avon 53–65

    Google Scholar 

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameKings Fund Centre (1980) An ordinary life: comprehensive locally-based residential services for mentally handicapped people King’s Fund Centre London

    Google Scholar 

  • O. I. Lovaas (1987) ArticleTitleBehavioural treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 55 3–9 Occurrence Handle10.1037//0022-006X.55.1.3 Occurrence Handle3571656

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O. I. Lovaas J. Q. Simmons (1969) ArticleTitleManipulation of self-destruction in three retarded children Journal of Applied Behaviour Analysis 2 143–157

    Google Scholar 

  • K. Lowe D. Felce J. Perry H. Baxter E. Jones (1998) ArticleTitleThe characteristics and residential situations of people with severe intellectual disability and the most severe challenging behaviour in Wales Journal of Intellectual Disability Research 42 375–389 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2788.1998.00154.x Occurrence Handle9828069

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • L. L. MacIntyre J. Blacher B. L. Baker (2002) ArticleTitleBehaviour/mental health problems in young adults with intellectual disability: The impact on families Journal of Intellectual Disabilities Research 46 239–249 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2788.2002.00371.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Mansell K. Ericcson (1996) Deinsitutionalisation and community living: Intellectual disability services in Britain, Scandinavia and the USA Chapman and Hall London

    Google Scholar 

  • K. McClintock S. Hall C. Oliver (2003) ArticleTitleRisk markers associated with challenging behaviours in people with intellectual disabilities: a meta-analytic study Journal of Intellectual Disabilities Research 47 405–416 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2788.2003.00517.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. J. McEachin T. Smith O. I. Lovaas (1993) ArticleTitleLong-term outcome for children with autism who received early intensive behavioural treatment American Journal on Mental Retardation 97 359–372 Occurrence Handle8427693

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, G. (1991). MIETS meets needs. Nursing Times, September 4th, 47–49

  • G. Murphy (1994a) Services for children and adolescents with severe learning disabilities (mental retardation) M. Rutter E. Taylor L. Hersov (Eds) Child and adolescent psychiatry: Modern approaches EditionNumber3 Blackwell Scientific Publications Oxford 1023–1039

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Murphy (1994b) Understanding challenging behaviour E. Emerson P. McGill J. Mansell (Eds) Severe learning disabilities and challenging behaviours: Designing high quality services Chapman and Hall London 37–68

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Murphy C. Oliver J. Corbett et al. (1993) Epidemiology of self-injury, characteristics of people with severe self-injury and initial treatment outcome C. Kiernan (Eds) Research to practice? Implications of research on the challenging behaviour of people with learning disability B.I.L.D. Publications Clevedon Avon 1–35

    Google Scholar 

  • P. Molyneux E. Emerson A. Caine (1999) ArticleTitlePrescription of psychotropic medication to people with intellectual disabilities in primary health care settings Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities 12 46–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Nihira, K., Leland, H., & Lambert, N. (1993). Adaptive Behaviour Scale—residential and community (2nd ed.). Austin Texas: Pro-ed

  • C. Oliver (1995) ArticleTitleSelf-injurious behaviour in children with learning disabilities: Recent advances in assessment and intervention Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 30 909–927

    Google Scholar 

  • C. Oliver G. Murphy J. A. Corbett (1987) ArticleTitleSelf-injurious behaviour in people with a mental handicap: A total population survey Journal of Mental Deficiency Research 31 147–162 Occurrence Handle3625761

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • L. Quine J. Pahl (1985) ArticleTitleExamining the causes of stress in families with severely mentally handicapped children British Journal of Social Work 15 501–517

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Risley (1968) ArticleTitleThe effects and side-effects of punishing the autistic behaviours of a deviant child Journal of Applied Behaviour Analysis 1 21–34

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Robertson E. Emerson N. Gregory C. Hatton S. Kessissoglou A. Hallam (2000) ArticleTitleReceipt of psychotropic medication␣by people with intellectual disability in residential settings Journal of Intellectual Disability Research 44 666–676 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2788.2000.00307.x Occurrence Handle11115021

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • R. G. Rusch J. C. Hall H. C. Griffin (1986) ArticleTitleAbuse-provoking characteristics of institutionalised mentally retarded individuals American Journal of Mental Deficiency 90 618–624 Occurrence Handle3717218

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J. Salt J. Shemilt V. Sellars S. Boyd T. Coulson S. McCool (2002) ArticleTitleThe Scottish Centre for Autism preschool treatment programme II: The results of a controlled outcome study Autism 6 33–46 Occurrence Handle10.1177/1362361302006001004 Occurrence Handle11918108

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • S. R. Schroeder C. S. Schroeder B. Smith J. Dalldorf (1978) ArticleTitlePrevalence of self-injurious behaviours in a large state facility for the retarded: A three year follow-up study Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia 8 261–269 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01539629 Occurrence Handle29030

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • S. R. Schroeder W. K. Bickel G. Richmond (1986) Primary and secondary prevention in self-injurious behaviour: A life-long problem K. D. Gadow (Eds) Advances in learning and behavioural disabilities 5 JAI Press Greenwich, CT

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Shah (1986) Impairment of social interaction in autism and mental retardation: A 12 year follow-up study J. M. Berg (Eds) Science and service in mental retardation Methuen London 132–141

    Google Scholar 

  • M. J. Shodell H. H. Reiter (1968) ArticleTitleSelf-mutilative behaviour in verbal and nonverbal schizophrenic children Archives of General Psychiatry 19 453–455 Occurrence Handle5672803

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J. Stevenson N. Richman (1978) ArticleTitleBehaviour, language and development in three year old children Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia 8 299–313 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01539633 Occurrence Handle690065

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • L. W. Talkington S. Hall R. Altman (1971) ArticleTitleCommunication deficits and aggression in the mentally retarded American Journal of Mental Deficiency 76 235–237 Occurrence Handle5147219

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • B. G. Tate G. S. Baroff (1966) ArticleTitleAversive control of self-injurious behaviour of a psychotic boy Behaviour Research and Therapy 4 281–287 Occurrence Handle5978683

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • M. Tausig (1985) ArticleTitleFactors in family decision-making about placement for developmentally disabled adults American Journal of Mental Deficiency 89 352–361 Occurrence Handle3976734

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Windahl, S. (1988). SIB in a time perspective: A follow-up of SIB prevalence and frequency after 10–13 years. Paper presented at the 8th IASSMD conference, Dublin

  • L. Wing (1971) ArticleTitleSeverely retarded children in a London area: Prevalence and provision of services Psychological Medicine 1 405–415 Occurrence Handle5158637

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • L. Wing (1988) The continuum of autistic characteristics E. Schopler G. Mesibov (Eds) Diagnosis and assessment in autism Plenum New York 91–110

    Google Scholar 

  • L. Wing (1996a) The autistic spectrum: A guide for parents and professionals Constable London

    Google Scholar 

  • Wing, L. (1996b). Schedule of handicaps, behaviours and skills (HBS). In I. Rapin (Ed.), Pre-school children with inadequate communication. Clinics in developmental medicine no. 139 (Appendix 5, pp. 268–299). London: MacKeith Press

  • J. K. Wing A. M. Hailey (Eds) (1972) Evaluating a community psychiatric service Oxford University Press London

    Google Scholar 

  • L. Wing C. Bramley A. Hailey J. K. Wing (1968) ArticleTitleCamberwell cumulative psychiatric case register part 1: Aims and methods Social Psychiatry 3 IssueID3 116–123 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00577835

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • L. Wing J. Gould (1978) ArticleTitleSystematic recording of behaviours and skills of retarded and psychotic children Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia 8 79–97 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01550280 Occurrence Handle641003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • L. Wing J. Gould (1979) ArticleTitleSevere impairments of social interaction and associated abnormalities in children: Epidemiology and classification Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia 9 11–29 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01531288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • L. Wing J. Gould S. R. Yeates L. M. Brierley (1977) ArticleTitleSymbolic play in severely mentally retarded and autistic children Journal of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry 18 167–178

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tizard Centre, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT 2 7LZ, Kent

    Glynis H. Murphy & Julie Beadle-Brown

  2. National Autistic Society, Elliott House, BR2 9HT, Kent

    Lorna Wing & Judy Gould

  3. Leading Edge Psychology, 1 The Close, Dale Road, CR2 2ER, Purley

    Amitta Shah

  4. Psychology Department, University of Surrey, Guilford, Surrey

    Nan Holmes

  5. Professor of Clinical Psychology of Learing Disability, Institute for Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA 14 Y.T, UK

    Glynis H. Murphy

Authors
  1. Glynis H. Murphy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Julie Beadle-Brown
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lorna Wing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Judy Gould
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Amitta Shah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Nan Holmes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Glynis H. Murphy.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Murphy, G.H., Beadle-Brown, J., Wing, L. et al. Chronicity of Challenging Behaviours in People with Severe Intellectual Disabilities and/or Autism: A Total Population Sample. J Autism Dev Disord 35, 405–418 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-005-5030-2

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-005-5030-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation