ABSTRACT
This is the first of two chapters on the most common severely maladaptive or “challenging” behaviors seen in mental retardation. With the exception of obsessive-compulsive disorder, the behavior problems presented in this chapter generally are not accorded formal psychiatric designations and, in this respect, differ from those to be presented in Chapter 10. Following a general introduction to the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of behavior problems in mental retardation, three groups of disorders are described—aggression, repetitive movement disorder (self-injurious and stereotyped behavior), and problematic sexual behavior. Each disorder is considered in terms of its nature, cause, and treatment.
