Aggressive Behavior

The risk for the development of challenging behavior among individuals with an intellectual disability (ID) is high. Aggressive behavior is often cited as the most prevalent of such problem behaviors seen in this population. This chapter reviews interventions to reduce or eliminate aggression in individuals with ID. It examines their evidence base as empirically supported treatments in this population. First, the chapter defines aggression and then describes its prevalence among persons with ID. Next, it examines the factors that may contribute to its development and its impact and implications for both the persons themselves and the wider community. Some of the methodological issues that arise in the assessment and treatment of this problem behavior are analyzed. The chapter examines studies that employed behavioral interventions to decrease or eliminate aggression in ID including studies that used antecedent-based and reinforcement-based strategies and mixed-treatment packages.