An Analysis of Needs for Developing Curricula on Supporting Challenging Behaviors in Adults with Developmental Disabilities*

Abstract

This study explored effective strategies for preventing and managing challenging behaviors in adults with developmental disabilities by utilizing focus group interviews (FGIs) with 18 participants, including caregivers, frontline service providers, and experts in challenging behavior interventions. The primary objective was to identify the types, causes, and prevalence of challenging behaviors in adult developmental disability care settings and to determine the essential requirements for developing a comprehensive training program for service providers. The findings revealed that Participants emphasized the importance of creating supportive and preventive environments to mitigate challenging behaviors and highlighted the need for systematic training programs and ongoing professional development for service providers. This study provides critical insights for developing training programs aimed at enhancing the capacity of service providers to effectively support adults with developmental disabilities. It may inform future policy initiatives in this area.