The most recent official statistics show that in 2012 there were 0.8 million disabled children and young people aged 0–18 in the UK, 6% of all children. Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (such as Autism, ADHD, and Tourette's Syndrome) are the largest group of disabled children and young people in the UK, making up an estimated 3–4% of children in England, and more recent studies suggest that over 2% of children and young people in the UK are autistic.

This guide focuses on children with neurodevelopmental difficulties or diagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions who manifest behaviours that challenge. Research suggests that parents of children with behaviours that challenge might experience higher levels of parental stress. Parental stress, in turn, is associated with a higher risk of relationship distress and conflict, which in turn can affect outcomes for children. The scale and impact of this is likely to vary for children with different conditions and with different levels of support.

We use the expression behaviours that challenge to refer to persistent behaviours that children can demonstrate in a number of ways and in various settings, from becoming withdrawn (internalising behaviours) to acting aggressively (externalising behaviours). Sometimes, these are described as ‘challenging behaviours’. We recognise that these behaviours, which are often caused by distress and are unintentional, can be manifested by children with and without neurodevelopmental difficulties and disabilities. However, children with neurodevelopmental difficulties and diagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions might face additional barriers in having their individual needs met when compared to other children. For more about language and definitions see page 6 of the guide.

This guide has been developed for local leads, commissioners and practitioners to improve understanding of the factors that increase the risk of parental conflict among parents of children with behaviours that challenge, how to engage parents, what evidence-based support can be offered, and how to assess progress for these families.

Beta version
This beta version of our evidence guide on supporting healthy relationships among parents of children with behaviours that challenge will be tested and adapted through our work with local areas. We would welcome any feedback on the content or structure of the guide – let us know what you think by emailing info@eif.org.uk.

The guide includes:

• An overview of the research evidence of the factors that can increase the risk of parental conflict among parents of children with behaviours that challenge, and the impact of parental conflict on child outcomes.
• Advice on how research evidence can be put into practice to inform your local strategy.
• Recommendations on how to engage parents of children with behaviours that challenge.
• A summary of evidence-based healthy relationship and parenting interventions that can be used with parents of children with behaviours that challenge.
• A summary of measurement tools that can be used to measure parental conflict, parental stress and co-parenting with parents of children with behaviours that challenge.