Factors Associated With Restraint Application in Children and Adolescents With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Displaying Severe Challenging Behavior

= 12) from children and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disability who required emergency physical restraints. The study aimed to (a) examine and report on participant and restraint application characteristics and trends, and (b) determine if challenging behavior severity at intake predicted latency to restraint-application. According to the descriptive analysis, most participants were experiencing polypharmacy (i.e., prescribed at least three concurrent psychotropic medications), had been assigned moderate to high scores on challenging behavior severity, and primarily exhibited behavior maintained by access to tangibles or multiple reinforcers. Regarding restraint characteristics, the average restraint rate was 9.11 per 100 service hours, with most participants described as calm during restraint application. Typically, more than two staff members applied the restraints. Regression results indicated that challenging behavior severity scores significantly predicted latency to the first restraint application. Clinical implications related to these outcomes are discussed.