Challenging Behavior

Actions by individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities that pose risks to themselves or others, or significantly interfere with daily activities and learning. In the context of autism, challenging behaviors are often classified into categories such as self-injury, aggression, property destruction, elopement (escape), and repetitive or stereotypic behaviors. These behaviors are typically understood as serving a communicative function — they may be driven by attention-seeking, task avoidance, sensory stimulation, or desire for tangible items. Understanding the function behind challenging behaviors through systematic observation and data collection is considered essential for designing effective, person-centered interventions.