Address for correspondence: Paul Rhodes, Senior Lecturer, Clinical Psychology Unit, Sydney University, Sydney, Australia. E-mail: rhodes42@bigpond.net.au Systemic Hypothesising for Challenging Behaviour in Intellectual Disabilities: A Reflecting Team Approach Paul Rhodes, 1 Lesley Whatson, 2 Lucinda Mora, 2 Anders Hansson, 2 Kate Brearley 2 and Jack Dikian 2 1 Sydney University, Australia 2 Statewide Behaviour Intervention Service, NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Australia The treatment of challenging behaviour in intellectual disabilities has evolved dramati- cally since the 1950s, from a reliance on psychopharmacological restraint and operant conditioning to a multifaceted support plan that recognises the communicative intent of the client alongside their need for meaningful community participation. In recent years there has also been an increasing recognition of the critical role of family relationships in the maintenance and amelioration of challenging behaviour, as well as in attempts to integrate the fields of family therapy and applied behaviour analysis. The aim of this article is to describe a model of tertiary consultation that draws on the skills of systemic family therapy to assist clinicians who might be struggling with responding to challenging behaviour in settings characterised by complex and ‘stuck’ mediation problems. This model applies principles of reflective practice to assist such clinicians to develop a sophisticated understanding of the nature of interactions and relationships in the client’s life, a critical prerequisite to the application of behavioural intervention. A detailed description of the model and a case study will be provided. Keywords: challenging behaviour, family therapy, systemic, consultation Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action. Peter F. Drucker Background: The Evolution Of Intervention For Challenging Behaviour In the past 50 years the development of intervention models for clients with intellec- tual disabilities has mirrored a gradual recognition of the human rights of this popula- 70 THE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF FAMILY THERAPY Volume 32 Number 1 2011 pp. 70–82