Effectiveness of positive behavioural support in managing the self-injurious behaviour in children with mental retardation

Pages: 404-408
Sajad Ahmad Najar (Department of Psychology, Govt. Degree College Hadipora, J&K)
Neetu Saini (Disha School of Special Education & Rehabilitation Centre, Meerut, U.P.)
Abdul Majid Bhat (University of Delhi, Delhi)
Binapani Mohapatra (Department of Rehabilitation Psychology, National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped, Secunderabad, A.P., )

Mental retardation is a permanent condition unlike many other diseases. It is a highly prevalent and highly disabling condition. The present study aims to examine the effectiveness of positive behaviour support as a whole package in managing self-injurious behaviour in children with mental retardation. Sample consisted of 6 participants with mental retardation, within the age range of 6 to 12 years. The present study follows before and after without control group design. Participant’s general level of intelligence & adaptive behaviours were assessed by using Binet-Kamat test of Intelligence and VSMS respectively. Self-injurious behaviours were assessed by using Behavioral Assessment Scale for Indian children with Mental Retardation BASIC-MR (Part-B). 12 intervention sessions of Positive Behaviour Support were given on individual basis and after that BASIC-MR PART-B was used to get the post-test scores. Results suggested that positive behaviour support is effective in managing self-injurious behaviour in children with mental retardation. The effectiveness of positive behaviour support is discussed with respect to participant’s age and level of retardation also.