Clinical needs and outcomes of adults with intellectual disabilities accessing an inpatient assessment and treatment service and the implication for development of community services

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daljit Sandhu ◽  
Rose Tomlins
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Inpatient Service ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Mild Intellectual Disability ◽  
Treatment Unit ◽  
Assessment And Treatment

The role and future of assessment and treatment units for people with intellectual disabilities is once again the focus of debate and government policy. Reviewing the admissions to inpatient services can provide useful information about the characteristics, needs and clinical outcomes of clients. Data were collected retrospectively for all 36 referrals accepted to an inpatient assessment and treatment unit for people with intellectual disability, between January 2013 and April 2014. Clinical and demographic characteristics of service users were identified through descriptive analysis. Male service users, mild intellectual disability and diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder were frequent, and a high proportion of admissions had complex and multiple needs. The Health of the Nation Outcome Scale–Intellectual Disabilities was used as a clinical outcome measure. We conclude with recommendations for service development following closure of our inpatient service.

Intellectual disability (mental retardation)

2017 ◽  
pp. 485-512
Author(s):  
Paul Harrison ◽  
Philip Cowen ◽  
Tom Burns ◽  
Mina Fazel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Retardation ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Fragile X ◽  
Mild Intellectual Disability ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
Challenging Behaviours

‘Intellectual disabilities’ covers the life course, with a focus on the assessment and treatment of the intellectual disabilities at younger ages. This chapter outlines current understanding of the aetiology of the more common intellectual disabilities. The clinical features are discussed for severe/profound, moderate, and mild intellectual disability, and the more common psychiatric presentations for those with intellectual disabilities. Mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and dementia are discussed in greater detail, as are the more common presentations of intellectual disability, with sections on Down’s syndrome and fragile X. The importance of prevention of mental health problems and better understanding and management of more challenging behaviours are discussed alongside other treatments for psychiatric disorders.

School Readiness Program

2021 ◽  
pp. 87-106
Author(s):  
BS Chavan ◽  
Wasim Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
School Readiness ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Mild Intellectual Disability ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Inclusive School ◽  
Age Appropriate ◽  
Practical Model

The chapter highlights the importance of a school readiness program for children with disabilities (preferably mild category of developmental disabilities) in achieving successful inclusive education. A practical model of school readiness program for children with mild intellectual disability which is practiced at Government Rehabilitation Institute for Intellectual Disabilities (GRIID), Chandigarh, India has been highlighted in this chapter. The school readiness program for children with mild developmental disabilities is offered at primary lower (age 5-7 years) and primary upper (age 7-9 years) levels. Several age-appropriate functional and social skills are being taught to young children admitted under the school readiness program of GRIID. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the school readiness program that can be replicated at different places to achieve a successful and meaningful transition from a special school to an inclusive school.

An evaluation of the implementation of Safewards on an assessment and treatment unit for people with an intellectual disability

2020 ◽  
pp. 174462952090163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bronwen Davies ◽  
Jade Silver ◽  
Scarlett Josham ◽  
Emma Grist ◽  
Lewis Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Treatment Unit ◽  
Positive Approach ◽  
Shift Report ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
The Impact

This study evaluates the implementation of Safewards on an assessment and treatment unit (ATU) for people with an intellectual disability. There are no previous studies evaluating this model in this context and previous research has focused largely on acute mental health services. The ‘Patient–Staff Conflict Shift Report’ was used at baseline for 1 month and 1 year later, after all the interventions had been implemented, to evaluate the impact of Safewards. Significant reductions were found in conflict and containment measures used within the service after the implementation of Safewards. Staff who led on the interventions were also asked to give feedback on their experiences, the challenges they faced and how they would like to move forward. Safewards was generally seen as a positive approach by the team. Limitations of this study are highlighted and suggestions for future research are made.

Reflections on the use of a specialist acute assessment and treatment unit for adults with intellectual disability

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 132-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiran Purandare ◽  
Anusha Wijeratne
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Average Distance ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Discharge Process ◽  
Treatment Unit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Catchment Areas ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of a changing commissioning landscape on the provision of specialist acute inpatient care from the perspective of a small category 2 unit in London. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a retrospective survey of all referrals to the unit in 2012 and 2013. Findings – There has been an increase in the referrals and admissions to the unit with referrals covering a wider catchment area. This has resulted in a doubling of the average distance between the unit and the respective catchment areas that patients and their relatives have to travel. The majority of admissions were transfers from mainstream mental health services. There has been a reduction in the mean length of stay. Research limitations/implications – This survey looks at trends in one category 2 unit in an outer London Borough and therefore, limits generalisability. The data collection was retrospective and there was no information on patients requiring admission but not being referred to the unit. Practical implications – There continues to be a need for category 2 admission units to serve the needs of a small group of patients with intellectual disability presenting with mental health needs and behavioural problems. Consideration needs to be given to the entire mental health and challenging behaviour care pathway, including the small but crucial element of specialist inpatient management if services are to remain local and responsive to the needs of this group of patients and their carers. Social implications – An ill-planned reduction in the number of specialist inpatient units without viable community services, risks perpetuating a situation where patients and their relatives have to travel long distances to obtain appropriate specialist help. Longer geographical distances could also potentially hamper closer liaison between the unit and the community services, thereby reducing the degree of oversight and prolonging the transition and discharge process. Originality/value – This survey highlights the impact of recent commissioning and service changes on delivery of specialist in patient services for adults with intellectual disability in the immediate aftermath of the Winterbourne Review.

scholarly journals Demanding disability – an analysis of opportunities and threats related to the functioning of people with mild intellectual disabilities Part 1

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Parys ◽  
Sławomir Olszewski
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Mild Intellectual Disability ◽  
Present Text ◽  
Adam Mickiewicz

Katarzyna Parys, Sławomir Olszewski, Demanding disability – an analysis of opportunities and threats related to the functioning of people with mild intellectual disabilities. Part 1. Interdisciplinary Contexts of Special Pedagogy, no. 26, Poznań 2019. Pp. 15–38. Adam Mickiewicz University Press. ISSN 2300-391X. e-ISSN 2658-283X. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14746/ikps.2019.26.01The thesis considered in the article is the statement that mild intellectual disability is a demanding disability. Three dimensions were distinguished in the description of the situation of persons with a mild intellectual disability:1. Attributes of the phenomenon of mild intellectual disability2. Attributes of the population of people with mild intellectual disabilities3. Attributes of selected elements of the mesosystem of people with mild intellectualdisabilitiesThe key phenomena for these dimensions were analysed. The ambiguity of these phenomena has become the basis for considering the opportunities and threats that they may pose. Due to the extensiveness of the issues raised, the issues discussed are presented in two parts. The present text is considers the first two of the dimensions listed.

scholarly journals Increased prevalence of intellectual disabilities in higher-intensity mental healthcare settings

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanet G. Nieuwenhuis ◽  
Peter Lepping ◽  
Niels L. Mulder ◽  
Henk L. I. Nijman ◽  
Mike Veereschild ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Intellectual Functioning ◽  
Community Treatment ◽  
Mild Intellectual Disability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Number Of Patients

Background It has been suggested that people with intellectual disabilities have a higher likelihood to develop psychiatric disorders, and that their treatment prognosis is relatively poor. Aims We aimed to establish the prevalence of intellectual disability in different mental healthcare settings, and estimate percentage of cognitive decline. We hypothesised that the prevalence of intellectual disabilities increases with intensity of care. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in different settings in a mental healthcare trust in the Netherlands. We used the Screener for Intelligence and Learning Disabilities (SCIL) to identify suspected mild intellectual disability (MID) or borderline intellectual functioning (BIF). We identified patients with a high level of education and low SCIL score to estimate which patients may have had cognitive decline. Results We included 1213 consecutive patients. Over all settings, 41.4% of participating patients were positive for MID/BIF and 20.2% were positive for MID only. Prevalence of suspected MID/BIF increased by setting, from 27.1% in out-patient settings to 41.9% in flexible assertive community treatment teams and admission wards, to 66.9% in long-stay wards. Only 85 (7.1%) of all patients were identified as possibly having cognitive decline. Of these, 25.9% were in long-stay wards and had a diagnosis of schizophrenia or substance use disorder. Conclusions Low intellectual functioning is common in Dutch mental healthcare settings. Only a modest number of patients were identified as suffering from cognitive decline rather than suspected MID/BIF from birth. Therefore, we recommend improved screening of psychiatric patients for intellectual functioning at the start of treatment.

How can mental health clinicians, working in intellectual disability services, meet the spiritual needs of their service users?

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Loynes ◽  
Jean O'Hara
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
General Health ◽  
Disability Services ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify approaches that mental health clinicians, working in intellectual disability services, can adopt to ensure the spiritual needs of their service users are met. Design/methodology/approach – A narrative literature review examining original research, expert opinion pieces and book chapters was undertaken. To broaden the perspective of the paper, publications from different academic areas were reviewed including intellectual disabilities, mental health, neurodevelopmental disorders, general health and spirituality literature. Findings – The main principles of spiritual assessment tools from the general health literature can be applied to this group. However, the literature would suggest that certain approaches are of particular importance in intellectual disabilities mental health including advocating for service users to attend the religious services they wish to and working collaboratively with families and carers when addressing spiritual issues. Research limitations/implications – The question of how to meet the spiritual needs of people with autism and severe intellectual disability is a neglected research area. Research examining the spiritual needs of service users with intellectual disabilities, on mental health inpatient units, is also needed as well as a review of whether spiritual needs are being met in current person-centred care plans. Originality/value – No published literature review was identified that specifically addressed the question of how mental health clinicians should approach the spiritual needs of their service users.

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