Challenging behaviour profiles of people with acquired brain injury living in community settings

To determine the type and severity of challenging behaviours among a cohort of brain-injured persons referred to a community-based behaviour management service; and to determine whether different behaviour profiles were associated with aetiology of brain injury.

A sample of clients (n = 190) referred to the ABI Behaviour Consultancy for assessment and treatment of challenging behaviours was evaluated using the Overt Behaviour Scale (OBS) and other measures of disability and support needs.

The most common challenging behaviour categories were, in order of frequency: verbal aggression, inappropriate social behaviours and lack of initiation. Clients typically exhibited four categories of challenging behaviour and multiple kinds of the behaviours represented by each category. There was some evidence of differences in occurrence of specific behaviours associated with aetiology of brain injury, particularly for hypoxia and alcohol-related brain injury.

A systematic assessment of challenging behaviours in community settings has revealed the profiles of broad behavioural disturbance that can occur following ABI. Assessing the breadth of disturbance is important in understanding a client's presentation and thus planning appropriate behaviour management interventions.