If you are seeking to develop your understanding of challenging behaviour and/or learning disability you can consult our list of academic courses which may be of interest or view our booklist for professionals.
Click on the name of the university below to link up to further details about each course. Please note that inclusion on this list should not be taken as a recommendation by the Challenging Behaviour Foundation. Please contact the universities themselves for further details.
Click on the university titles below to visit each page.
Click on the above link to read the course details
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Click on the above link to read the course details
Click on the above link to read the course details
Click on the above link to read the course details
Click on the above link to read the course details
Click on the above link to read the course details
Click on the above link to read the course details
Click on the above link to read the course details
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A full-time or part-time MSc course
An introductory online course aimed at parents and professionals.
Full-time or part-time postgraduate courses - Masters (MSc), Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) or Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert).
Full-time or part-time postgraduate courses - MSc, PDip or PCert.
Full-time 2 year MSc course.
Accredited courses in PBS - Advanced Ceritificate, Professional Certificate, Professional Diploma)
Undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Part time postgraduate degrees in Autism and Learning.
Part time course in Professional Educational Studies course which can specialise in teaching people with Autism.
Postgraduate degrees in Autism (MEd, PgDip, PgCert).
MA in Special Educational Needs (Autism Spectrum Disorder).
Undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Postgraduate taught degree in Severe, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (MEd/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate/Advanced Certificate).
The National Autistic Society provides a comprehensive list of Universities and Colleges offering professional development on autism and related conditions.
This list is not comprehensive and is no longer being updated. However, it still gives details of some of the key books and articles relating to challenging behaviour.
Additionally, the Challenging Behaviour Foundation offers a wide range of information sheets about challenging behaviour and related topics. All information sheets are available to download free of charge from our section on Information and guidance.
EMERSON, E., & EINFELD, S (2011, 3rd edition)
Challenging Behaviour
Cambridge University Press ISBN: 9780521728935
HUBERT, J (1997, 2nd edition)
At home and alone: families and young adults with challenging behaviour. In J. Bornat, J. Johnson, C. Pereira, D. Pilgrim, & F. Williams (Eds), Community Care: A Reader (Chapter 12)
Macmillan Press ISBN: 0 33369847 9
SIGAFOOS, J., ARTHUR, M., & O’REILLY, M (2003)
Challenging behaviour and developmental disability
Whurr ISBN: 1 86156 378 7
Available on Amazon or Abe Books
HARDY, S., & JOYCE, T (2011)
Challenging behaviour: A handbook: Practical resource addressing ways of providing positive behavioural support to people with learning disabilities whose behaviour is described as challenging.
Pavilion Publishing ISBN: 1908066490
KOEGEL, L., KOEGEL, R., & DUNLAP, G (1996)
Positive behavioral support: Including people with difficult behavior in the community
Brookes Publishing Co ISBN: 1557662282
POSITIVE BEHAVIOURAL SUPPORT (PBS) COALITION UK
Positive Behavioural Support: A Competence Framework
PBS Academy: Free download
TIZARD LEARNING DISABILITY REVIEW (2005)
Volume 10, Issue 2. Special edition with a focus on Positive Behaviour Support, Pavilion
Free to download on Emerald Insight
BALL, T., BUSH, A., & EMERSON, E (2004)
Psychological interventions for severely challenging behaviours shown by people with learning disabilities: Clinical practice guidelines.
Faculty for Learning Disabilities: The British Psychological Society ISBN: 1 85433 402 6
Available for free from the BPS
BRITISH INSTITUTE OF LEARNING DISABILITIES (BILD) (2004)
Factsheet: Intensive interaction
BILD: Free download from Mencap
BRITISH INSTITUTE OF LEARNING DISABILITIES (BILD) (2010)
Factsheet: De-escalation and Deaf people
Contact BILD to get a copy: www.bild.org.uk
CARR, E., LEVIN, L., McCONNACHIE, G., CARLSON, J., KEMP, D., & SMITH, C (1994)
Communication-based intervention for problem behaviour: A user’s guide for producing positive change.
Brookes Publishing Company ISBN: 1 55766 159 6
HASTINGS, R., & BECK, A (2004)
Practitioner review: Stress intervention for parents of children with intellectual disabilities
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry,45, 1338-1349
Available for a fee on Wiley Online Library
LOVETT, H (1996)
Learning to listen: Positive approaches and people with difficult behaviour.
Brookes Publishing Co ISBN: 9781557661647
LUISELLI, J (2006)
Antecedent assessment and intervention. Supporting children and adults with developmental disabilities in community settings
Brookes ISBN: 1 55766 849 3
McDONNELL, A (2010)
Managing aggressive behaviour in care settings: Understanding and applying low arousal approaches
Wiley-Blackwell ISBN: 0470512318
Available on Amazon or Wiley Online Library
NIND, M., & HEWETT, D (2001)
A practical guide to intensive interaction
Kidderminster: BILD publications ISBN: 9781902519630
STENFERT KROESE, B., DAGNAN, D., & LOUMIDIS, K (Eds) (1997)
Cognitive-behaviour therapy for people with learning disabilities
Routeledge ISBN 978-0-415-12751-6
ALLEN, D (2003)
Ethical approaches to physical interventions vol I: Responding to challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities
Kidderminster: BILD ISBN 1904082386
Available on BILD’s site and through Amazon.
ALLEN, D (2003)
Ethical approaches to physical interventions vol II: Changing the agenda
Kidderminster: BILD ISBN 9781905218110
Available on BILD’s site.
BRITISH INSTITUTE OF LEARNING DISABILITIES (BILD) (2009)
Factsheet: Time out and seclusion
BILD: Free download
BRITISH INSTITUTE OF LEARNING DISABILITIES (BILD) (2008)
Factsheet: Chemical restraint
BILD: Free download available from www.imagineinclusion.co.uk
DEB, S., CLARKE, D., & UNWIN, G (2006)
Using medication to manage behaviour problems among adults with a learning disability
University of Birmingham: Free download from University of Birmingham website
HARRIS, J., CORNICK, M., JEFFERSON, A., & MILLS, R (2008, 2nd edition)
Physical interventions. A policy framework.
BILD ISBN: 9781905218042
Available on Amazon and BILD’s website
LYON, C., & PIMOR, A (2004)
Physical interventions and the law: Legal issues arising from the use of physical interventions in supporting children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and severe challenging behaviour
BILD ISBN: 1 904082 734
BRITISH INSTITUTE OF LEARNING DISABILITIES (BILD) (2009)
Factsheet: Human Rights Act
BILD: Free download from thh.nhs.uk
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE (2007)
Mental capacity act 2005. Code of practice
London: TS ISBN:978 0 11 7037465
Available on Amazon and on www.gov.uk
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (2014)
Ensuring quality services: Core principles for the commissioning of services for children, young people, adults and older people with learning disabilities and/or autism who display or are at risk of displaying behaviour that challenges.
Local Government Association: Free download from www.local.gov.uk
MANSELL REPORT, The (2007)
Services for people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour or mental health needs: Report of a project group. Revised edition
Department of Health: Free download from Department of Health website
ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS, BRITISH PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPISTS (2007)
Challenging behaviour: A unified approach. Clinical and service guidelines for supporting people with learning disabilities who are at risk of receiving abusive or restrictive practices
The Royal College of Psychiatrists CR144
Free to download from the British Psychological Society website
CLEMENTS, J., & ZARKOWSKA, E (2000)
Behavioural concerns and autistic spectrum disorders: Explanations and strategies for change
London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers ISBN: 9781853027420
WHITAKER, P (2002)
Challenging behaviour and autism. Making sense – making progress. A guide to parenting and managing challenging behaviour for parents and teachers.
The National Autistic Society ISBN: 1 899280 5 1 3 £15.95
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation would like to thank Peter McGill for his help in compiling this list.
This book list was checked in April 2021 to make sure the links work, but more recent publications are yet to be added.
