Examining trends in aggression and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) in the NDI unit

Abstract

This project focused on analyzing trends in aggressive behaviors among patients with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) in the NDI Unit at HANDS in Autism®. Data from 2020-2024 was reviewed and categorized into physical aggression, verbal aggression, and property destruction. The analysis revealed a spike in incidents, particularly in 2022 and 2023, with physical aggression, especially hitting and punching, being most prevalent. Throwing items was the dominant form of property destruction, while yelling led to verbal aggression incidents. A decline in 2024 suggests that environmental or procedural interventions may be contributing to behavioral improvements. Recommendations include enhancing communication with families, streamlining documentation processes, and refining aggression behavior classification to support more targeted interventions.