ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION The support of people with learning disabilities who present with challenging or distressed behaviour by learning disability nurses has never been so important. This chapter will promote the unique contribution that learning disability nursing can provide in promoting holistic support, whilst drawing from a strong value and professional base. Understanding of challenging or distressed behaviour in people with learning disabilities is problematic, and managing such behaviours has been the subject of much past and recent controversy. Recent controversy has included inappropriate use of medication; there remains a persistent problem of over-prescribing psychoactive
This chapter will focus on the following issues:
• A note on terminology • Prevalence of behavioural difficulties • Understanding behaviour from differing theoretical perspectives
• Psychodynamic, behaviourist, and humanistic theory
• What divides the theorists?
