Background: Children with neurodisabilities, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), autism and other complex needs, frequently experience sleep disturbances, impacting their health, behaviour and caregiver well-being. This study evaluates the effectiveness of Cubby Beds, sensory safety beds designed to improve…

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant public health concern, with severely impacts for adolescent mental health. As awareness of the harmful effects of NSSI grows, there is an increasing emphasis on understanding the underlying mechanisms in this age group. This study explores how internalizing and externalizing issues related to…

Mentoring is considered an evidence-based practice for violence prevention. This study presents a partial replication of the "Take Charge!" program implemented in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS). One hundred and eighty-eight early adolescents (M age = 12.87; 61.17% male) who were treated for peer-related…

Although decades of behavior-analytic studies have focused on decreasing the aggressive behavior of clients, relatively little research has been conducted on preventing injuries for the staff members who implement treatment plans. In this study, three direct-care staff members working with clients presenting with aggressive behavior were taught…

Introduction: There is evidence of a gap between individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who need treatment for self-injurious behavior (SIB) and those who receive treatment. The purpose of this study (n = 15) was to begin to understand the treatment gap from the perspective of family caregivers. Methods: In…

Individuals who engage in aggression often display precursors or agitated behavior first, and it is important for caregivers to learn how to minimize risk of injury in the event that aggression were to occur. In this study, behavioral skills training was used to teach 4 caregivers of children who engage in aggression to position their body safely…

The relationship between emotion regulation, social interaction and different types of restricted and repetitive behaviors is poorly understood. In the present study, structural equation modeling based on information about 239 individuals with autism was used to examine whether emotion regulation and social communication were associated with…

The purpose of the present study is to compare risk and predictors of poor safety awareness and accidental injuries in ASD, ADHD, and neurotypical samples. Neurodivergent groups (ADHD-I n = 309; ADHD-C n = 747; ASD-only n = 328; ASD + ADHD n = 1,108) were 2-17 years old. The neurotypical group (n = 186) was 6-12 years of age. Maternal ratings on…

Self-injurious behaviors (SIB) are elevated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related genetic disorders, but the genetic and biological mechanisms that contribute to SIB in ASD are poorly understood. This study examined rates and predictors of SIB in 112 individuals with disruptive mutations to ASD-risk genes. Current SIB were reported in 30%…

Elevated salivary cortisol levels have been documented in individuals who engage in self-injurious behavior (SIB), indicating acute physiological stress. Less is known about the chronicity of stress and SIB. We analyzed the relationship between parent ratings of problem behavior and hair cortisol concentrations (an index of chronic adrenocortical…

Background: It is mandatory for staff in Swedish community services for people with intellectual disabilities to report incidents of error or malpractice. Aim The aim is to study if incident reports contribute to developing quality in services for people with intellectual disabilities who present with challenging behaviours. Method: 159 reports on…

Objective: ADHD is a commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder in the U.S., with symptoms including hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. These symptoms can lead to increased engagement in unhealthy behaviors. The current study examined the associations between health risk factors and ADHD among a community-based sample of 345 students…

Self-injurious behavior (SIB) occurs in up to 50% of individuals with autism. As one of the most serious conditions in individuals with developmental disabilities, SIB affects the individual and his or her family in multiple contexts. A systematic analysis of factors most commonly associated with SIB could inform the development of individualized…

Adolescent intentional and unintentional injury is commonly related to involvement in violence and transportation behaviors. While many risk and promotive factors have been identified, a cumulative assessment of such factors is less common, and this has rarely been undertaken with transportation behaviors. The study involved Australian adolescents…

Parent behaviors moderate the adverse consequences of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, it is unknown how these moderating effects change over time. This study examined the moderating effect of observed parent behaviors over time since injury on the relation between TBI and behavioral outcomes. Participants included children, ages…