A screening questionnaire to identify the risk of behaviour that challenges in young people with a learning disability
Intended for healthcare professionals
Evidence and practice    

A screening questionnaire to identify the risk of behaviour that challenges in young people with a learning disability

Kerry Clark Assistant Clinical Psychologist, learning disability child and adolescent mental health services, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Martha Laxton-Kane Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Why you should read this article:
  • To understand the importance of early identification of the risk of behaviour that challenges in young people with a learning disability

  • To learn about the risk factors for behaviour that challenges in young people with a learning disability

  • To gain access to a free screening questionnaire to identify young people with a moderate-to-severe learning disability at risk of emerging or escalating behaviour that challenges

Behaviour that challenges is relatively common among children and young people with a learning disability. Over time, without intervention, these behaviours may become persistent. They can put the individual at risk of harm to themselves and to others, have an adverse effect on their quality of life, and lead to inpatient admission or residential placement, potentially out of area. Early intervention could prevent or reduce behaviour that challenges before the need for specialist referral, placement or inpatient admission arises.

This article describes the development of a screening questionnaire designed to identify young people with a moderate-to-severe learning disability who are at risk of emerging or escalating behaviour that challenges. This freely accessible questionnaire supports the implementation of early intervention and can be used by health, social care and education professionals, including nurses working in a variety of settings, when reviewing the health, care or education of any young person with a learning disability.

Learning Disability Practice. doi: 10.7748/ldp.2020.e2105

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and has been checked for plagiarism using automated software

Correspondence

kerry.clark4@nhs.net

Conflict of interest

None declared

Clark K, Laxton-Kane M (2020) A screening questionnaire to identify the risk of behaviour that challenges in young people with a learning disability. Learning Disability Practice. doi: 10.7748/ldp.2020.e2105

With thanks to the Transforming Care, Children and Young People Steering Group in Derbyshire (2018/19) for its ongoing support and to the special schools that were recruited including Stanton Vale, Ashgate Croft, Peak and Stubbin Wood. Further thanks to all those from Derbyshire County Council who helped in the early days of the questionnaire’s development.

Published online: 15 October 2020

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