Self-Management of Aggression in an Adult Male With Mental Retardation and Severe Behavior Disorders

Abstract

Contemporary best practices suggest a multifaceted intervention to effectively manage, maintain, and generalize the reduction of maladaptive aggressive behaviors. This article outlines a community-based procedure used to assist a twenty-five year old dually diagnosed male with a history of aggressive and antisocial behavior to develop self-management skills. A social-learning program was implemented which combined traditional behavior modification techniques with cognitive intervention strategies. The results were a significant reduction in the incidence of both physical and non-physical aggression, allowing the individual to maintain competitive employment and a personal residence. The importance of collaboration between professionals and family and a systematic plan insuring staff consistency are discussed as underlying success in achieving self-management of behavior.