| Abstract: Studies have highlighted that children who have an intellectual disability are at increased risk of displaying behaviour that challenges. Previous research has considered various risk factors associated with the development of such behaviour (e.g. a child’s age, gender, diagnosis). This study extended the literature by drawing on behavioural science to argue that the lack of certain key skills could be an important risk factor for the development of challenging behaviour. The study recruited 144 pupils at a primary special school in England. The Problem Behaviour Inventory - Short Form – Schools was used as the measure for challenging behaviour and the Essential Eight questionnaire (Essential for Living) as the measure of key skills. Both questionnaires were completed for all participants. The results from the study showed that the pupil’s scores on the Essential Eight questionnaire correctly classified 83% of pupils as having challenging behaviour. In addition, they also showed that pupils with the lowest skills had a 93% chance of having challenging behaviour, those with the highest skills had a 13% chance. The results from this study suggest that the lack of certain key skills is an important risk factor for the development of challenging behaviour. |