Analysis of risk factors and early predictors of challenging behavior for children with autism spectrum disorder § Aoife McTiernan, Geraldine Leader *, Olive Healy, Arlene Mannion School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Research on the prevalence of challenging behavior among individuals with intellectual disabilities has established a prevalence rate of 10–15% (Emerson et al., 2001a; Holden & Gitlesen, 2006). Challenging behavior includes aggression, self- injurious behaviors, stereotypies and other destructive or disruptive behaviors. In particular, investigation of specific factors associated with the presence of challenging behavior has determined that those individuals with a diagnosis of autism will be more at risk for developing challenging behaviors (Holden & Gitlesen, 2006). This is not surprising given the social and communicative deficits which are core to the disorder. In an investigation of self-injurious behavior (SIB) among children with autism, Baghdadli, Pascal, Grisi, and Aussilloux (2003) found that 50% of their 222 participants experienced SIB and 14.6% had severe SIB. Negative implications on an individual’s life coincide with the presence of challenging behavior. Physical consequences may be apparent in the form of physical injury to themselves, staff or others around them. Emerson et al. (2001b) describe the physical outcomes of SIB as including secondary infections, physical malformation of the face or limbs, loss of sight or hearing, additional neurological damage and even death. Such risks for the physical well-being of the individual, and those around them, impact on the individual’s socialization and integration potential. Emerson et al. (2001b) regard those with challenging behavior as at risk of social exclusion. Academic, developmental and adaptive behavior may also be affected, in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 5 (2011) 1215–1222 ARTICLE INFO Article history: Received 13 January 2011 Accepted 13 January 2011 Available online 12 February 2011 Keywords: Autism Challenging behavior Risk factors IQ Stereotyped behavior Aggression Self-injurious behavior ABSTRACT The current study evaluated risk factors for the occurrence, frequency and severity of challenging behavior among a sample of individuals with a diagnosis of autism, under the age of eighteen, in Ireland. Age, gender, hours of intervention received, age at diagnosis, presence of challenging behavior at diagnosis and treatment type at diagnosis were not found to be significant predictors for the frequency or severity of challenging behavior. The participants’ IQ was found to be a significant predictor of the frequency and severity of the behaviors measured. Lower IQ predicted greater frequencies of stereotyped behavior, aggression and self-injurious behavior along with increased severity of stereotyped behavior and self-injurious behavior. The intervention participants were currently receiving was not significant in predicting the frequency of challenging behavior, nor the severity of aggressive or self-injurious behaviors. However, this variable was a significant predictor of severity of stereotyped behaviors with individuals currently in Applied Behavior Analysis interventions presenting with more severe stereotyped behavior than those currently in ‘‘eclectic’’ interventions. Additional findings and implications in relation to these variables are discussed. ß 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. § This research was conducted by the first author under the supervision of the second and third authors in partial fulfillment of the requirements for her MSc degree in ABA at NUI, Galway. * Corresponding author. Tel.: +353 49 3434; fax: +353 91 521355. E-mail address: geraldine.leader@nuigalway.ie (G. Leader). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders Journal homepage: http://ees.elsevier.com/RASD/default.asp 1750-9467/$ – see front matter ß 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2011.01.009