Personal characteristics and outcomes of individuals with developmental disabilities who need support for self-injurious behaviour

Background: For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, self-injurious behaviour (SIB) can have serious negative effects on both health and quality of life. This descriptive analysis will provide information on the characteristics and outcomes of a subsample of individuals who are identified as needing some or extensive support for SIB in the National Core Indicators Adult Consumer Survey sample. Methods: The data for this analysis come from states that participated in the 2015–2016 data collection cycle of National Core Indicators Adult Consumer Survey which is a face-to-face survey of adults receiving services through state developmental disability agencies. Results: The characteristics and outcomes of individuals who need at least some support for SIB differ from those of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who do not need support for SIB. Individuals with SIB support needs, for example, tend to live in more structured settings, have fewer relationships, less inclusion in their communities and poorer employment outcomes. Conclusions: The exploratory descriptive analysis concludes with suggested recommendations for more standardised definitions of SIB in public systems, enhanced behaviour plan protocols and the need for additional research.