Behavior Management in Adults and Adolescents with Neurological Disorders

Course Description:

One of the most difficult clinical situations experienced by members of neurorehabilitation teams is the management of rehab services for adolescents and adults with challenging behaviors. While clinicians are skilled within their discipline-specific treatment regimens, many lack the knowledge and skill to manage challenging behaviors in a manner that maximizes the patient’s participation in treatment sessions at a therapeutically beneficial level. In this presentation, specific techniques for managing the following behavior characteristics will be discussed: 1) Labile behavior, pseudobulbar affect; 2) Hypersexuality; 3) Patients with lability and/or flat affect; 4) Patients with verbally and or physically hypersexual behavior; 5) Patients who are restless physically agitated, not aggressive; and 6) Patients who are verbally aggressive, agitated. In addition to discussion of specific behavior management techniques, important aspects of the team approach to behavior management will be reviewed. Finally, suggestions for ensuring mental health of clinicians and treatment teams caring for patients with challenging behaviors will be presented.