ABSTRACT
Effective help for people with longstanding behavioural problems and severe learning disabilities must be based upon a comprehensive understanding of the relevance of the behaviour for the individual. Identifying the things which trigger behavioural outbursts or other problematic behaviour not only helps to better understand the possible function of the behaviour but it enables those working with the individual to predict when the behaviour is likely to occur. Skill deficits which are related to behavioural disturbance tend often to occur in the areas of communication, self-occupation and social skills. Other skills which are relevant to a person's emotional well-being are the skills of problem solving and self-control. A person who is unable to solve simple life problems will continually make errors of judgment and get himself into difficulties. The formulation of the problem becomes the basis from which needs are identified.
