Challenging behaviour and learning disabilities: summary of NICE guidance

#### The bottom line #### How patients were involved in the creation of this article Three lay committee members with specific knowledge and experience of challenging behaviour in people with a learning disability contributed to the formulation of the recommendations summarised in this article. People with learning disabilities and carers of people with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges took part in focus groups that informed the development of recommendations summarised in this article. It is relatively common for people with a learning disability to develop behaviour that challenges. In educational, health, and social care settings, prevalence rates of challenging behaviour in people with learning disabilities vary from 10% to 15%,1 2 with rates peaking between the ages of 20 and 49 years. Rates are higher in people with more severe disabilities and within inpatient settings.1 Behaviour that challenges includes aggression, self injury, stereotypic behaviour, and withdrawal, which often result from the interaction of personal and environmental factors. Such behaviour can have detrimental consequences for the person, including lower quality of life, restrictive practices, physical abuse, and out of area placements.1 This article summarises the most recent recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on challenging behaviour and learning disabilities in adults, children, and young people.3 NICE recommendations are based on systematic reviews of the best available evidence and explicit consideration of cost effectiveness. When minimal …