“Forgetting familiar faces”: Staff perceptions of dementia in people with intellectual disabilities [2018]
Accessible summary Dementia is an illness of the brain. It can make people forgetful and confused. We talked to staff about what it is like to support people with dementia. They told us that working with dementia is upsetting for
“I feel like just a normal person now”: An exploration of the perceptions of people with intellectual disabilities about what is important in the provision of positive behavioural support [2018]
Accessible Summary People with a learning disability do not always get good supportWe wanted to know what they thought about positive behavioural supportThey told us many important things about good and bad supportGood support included being treated as a human
“Living the life I want”: A framework for planning engagement with people with intellectual disability and complex support needs [2018]
Background Self‐determination involves autonomy, agency, choice and control. This study investigated how these aspects of self‐determination relate to engaging people with intellectual disability and complex support needs in setting goals and making plans. Method Body mapping was used to understand
A family’s battle to understand “challenging behaviour” [2017]
Purpose This is about the authors’ son James’ life. The purpose of this paper is to share a story of misfortune and a battle to find answers in which the greatest enemy was ignorance. Such experiences are not uncommon. It
A novel care pathway for prisoners with intellectual disability designed through a Delphi process [2018]
Purpose Individuals with an intellectual disability form a significant minority in the Irish prison population and worldwide prison populations. There is growing recognition that specialist services for such individuals are in need of development. In this paper, we propose a
A novel care pathway for prisoners with intellectual disability designed through a Delphi process [2018]
Purpose Individuals with an intellectual disability (ID) form a significant minority in the Irish prison population and worldwide prison populations. There is growing recognition that specialist services for such individuals are in need of development. The purpose of this paper
A review of measures used in the screening, assessment and diagnosis of dementia in people with an intellectual disability – 2018
Background The increasing number of individuals with an intellectual disability who are at risk of developing dementia highlights the need to use measures with strong psychometric properties as part of the screening, assessment and diagnostic process. Method Searches were made
A schoolwide approach to promoting student bystander behavior in response to the use of the word “retard” [2018]
Highlights • Students often use the r-word as an insult or joke toward their peers. • Students are more likely to intervene when they hear the r-word used as an insult. • Students do not understand the r-word is harmful even when not
A systematic review of the effectiveness of psychological approaches in the treatment of sex offenders with intellectual disabilities [2017]
Background Despite considerable advance and growth in the evidence base for psychological interventions as treatment for sex offenders with intellectual disabilities (ID), there remains limited evidence to support their effectiveness. This systematic review seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological
Access to mental health services: The experiences of people with intellectual disabilities [2018]
BackgroundPeople with intellectual disability experience higher rates of mental health disorders than the rest of the population, and expert opinion holds that multiple barriers prevent people with intellectual disability from accessing appropriate services. MethodsA qualitative study was designed to explore
Access to mental health services: The experiences of people with intellectual disabilities [2018]
Background People with intellectual disability experience higher rates of mental health disorders than the rest of the population, and expert opinion holds that multiple barriers prevent people with intellectual disability from accessing appropriate services. Methods A qualitative study was designed
Adapting dialectical behaviour therapy in forensic learning disability services: A grounded theory informed study of “what works” [2019]
Background Emerging evidence indicates effectiveness of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) for people with intellectual disabilities (PWID) in forensic settings; however, little is known about “what works” facilitating engagement and change. Methods Eleven interviews were conducted with nine service users across
Addressing Gaps in the Health Care Services Used by Adults with Developmental Disabilities in Ontario [2019]
This report is an initiative of Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities (H-CARDD), an Ontario-based research program that aims to enhance the overall health and well-being of individuals with developmental disabilities through improved health care policy and services. Building
Advocacy unit probation officers reporting risk factors for young offenders with intellectual or developmental disabilities [2018]
Young people with intellectual or developmental disabilities are over-represented in the juvenile justice system. Unlike young people without disabilities, young offenders with intellectual or developmental disabilities may have assigned probation officers (i.e., advocacy unit probation officers) who understand the contextual
Alcohol use disorders in people with intellectual disability – 2018
This article initially highlights that although the prevalence of alcohol use disorders in people with intellectual disability (PWID) appears to be low, it is a significant issue. This group can be more vulnerable to the adverse effects of alcohol and
An ethical inquiry of support workers’ experiences related to sexuality in the context of intellectual disabilities in Quebec, Canada [2019]
Accessible summary Support workers’ attitudes towards the sexuality of people with intellectual disabilities are important. They can influence the support people with intellectual disabilities receive regarding their affective and sexual life. Six support workers talked about their personal experiences. They
An Exploratory Study of the Support Needs in 24/7 Online Support for People With Mild Intellectual Disabilities [2019]
Service organizations for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) increasingly look for technological applications to improve their services. DigiContact is an online support service developed by Philadelphia Care Foundation in the Netherlands which enables independently living people with ID to contact
An Independent Investigation Into the Psychometric Properties of the Adult Scale of Hostility and Aggression (A-SHARP) [2017]
Background: The Adult Scale of Hostility and Aggression (A-SHARP) rating scale assesses the frequency/severity (problem scale) and the reactive-proactive motivation (provocation scale) of aggressive behaviors in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Items are assigned to five subscales (Verbal Aggression, Physical
An investigation of the determinants of quality of life in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome [2018]
Background Young people with Down syndrome experience varying abilities in activities of daily living, cognitive functioning, behaviour and social skills. The aim of this research was to investigate, from a carer’s perspective, the factors that influenced the quality of life
Antipsychotic Use With and Without Comorbid Psychiatric Diagnosis Among Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities [2017]
Objective: Antipsychotic use is controversial in the management of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) because of inconclusive evidence for efficacy in the absence of a comorbid psychiatric condition, and substantial concerns about adverse effects. We aimed to characterize
Applying Restrictive Measures in the Care of Adolescents With Mild Intellectual Disabilities: Attitudes of Support Staff and Policy Implications – 2018
Research suggests that restrictive measures are widely used on adolescents with mild intellectual disabilities. In the Netherlands, restrictive measures are defined as all measures that limit the freedom of a person. In most countries, legislation and policies that seek to
Associations Between Mental Health Problems and Challenging Behavior in Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Test of the Behavioral Equivalents Hypothesis – 2018
Introduction: Current research findings in the field of intellectual disabilities (ID) regarding the relationship between mental health problems and challenging behavior are inconclusive and/or contradictory. The aim of this study was to further investigate the putative association between these two
Associations Between Mental Health Problems and Challenging Behavior in Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Test of the Behavioral Equivalents Hypothesis – 2018-02
Introduction: Current research findings in the field of intellectual disabilities (ID) regarding the relationship between mental health problems and challenging behavior are inconclusive and/or contradictory. The aim of this study was to further investigate the putative association between these two
Attitudes of health care professionals toward people with intellectual disability: a comparison with the general population [2018]
Background Few studies have examined attitudes that may promote the social inclusion of persons with an intellectual disability (ID) among health care providers (HCPs). Yet these attitudes could impact the accessibility and quality of services provided to this population, as
Behavioral Characteristics of Individuals with Down Syndrome [2018]
Introduction: Children and young adults with Down syndrome can demonstrate increased behavior problems compared to their typically developing peers through childhood and adolescence. Though current tools measure behavior problems in persons with intellectual disabilities, they do not capture all the
Beliefs about intellectual disability among employees at a state facility and undergraduate students: An exploratory analysis [2018]
Background Individuals with intellectual disability are subject to stigmatization, even among those providing services to them. Method Employees from an intermediate care facility (n = 97) and undergraduate students (n = 92) completed measures on their attitudes, beliefs of etiological
Building and Connecting: Family Strategies for Developing Social Support Networks for Adults With Down Syndrome [2019]
Being embedded in social networks is crucial for well-being and health. While this is particularly the case for people with Down syndrome (DS), our knowledge of how their support networks are developed is limited. This article investigates the role of
Building workforce capacity in Australia and New Zealand: a profile of psychiatrists with an interest in intellectual and developmental disability mental health [2018]
Objective: To describe the characteristics of psychiatrists working in the area of intellectual and developmental disability mental health (IDDMH) across Australia and New Zealand. Methods: A secondary analysis of data collected by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of
Case study illustrations of a psychological treatment pathway in a secure intellectual disability service [2018]
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe in detail the treatment pathway utilised in a male medium and low secure intellectual disability (ID) service. Over the preceding five years, service users have followed the outlined treatment pathway. The
Characteristics of Aggressive Behavior in People With Mild to Borderline Intellectual Disability and Co-Occurring Psychopathology – 2018
Introduction: People with intellectual disabilities and co-occurring psychopathology have a relatively high likelihood to engage in aggressive behavior. Nevertheless, structured clinical assessment of aggressive behavior, including when and where it occurs, is scarce in this population. Methods: On three wards
Chemical restraint of adults with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour in Queensland, Australia: Views of statutory decision makers [2018]
Background: Psychotropic medication is widely prescribed to treat mental illness. However, it is controversial when used as a chemical restraint (CR) to manage challenging behaviours (CBs) of adults with intellectual disability (ID). CR has potentially negative consequences and affects human
Communication skills training for healthcare students working with people with intellectual disabilities [2019]
Effective communication skills are essential for all healthcare professionals. Specialist teaching on communicating with people with intellectual disabilities is often lacking, resulting in poorer healthcare and worse outcomes than in the general population. Working with professionally trained actors with intellectual
Comparison of Self- and Proxy Report of Mental Health Symptoms in People With Intellectual Disabilities – 2018-02
Mental illness, and its assessment and treatment, is a concern for caregivers and professionals working with people with intellectual disability (ID), as well as a cause of distress and disability for people with ID. Research in this area is hindered
Consensus statement of the International Summit on Intellectual Disability and Dementia on valuing the perspectives of persons with intellectual disability – 2018-01-17
The International Summit on Intellectual Disability and Dementia covered a range of issues related to dementia and intellectual disability, including the dearth of personal reflections of persons with intellectual disability affected by dementia. This article reflects on this deficiency and
Correlates of burnout among professionals working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities [2018]
Background Although burnout has been recognised as an important stress‐related problem among staff working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), literature on the subject is limited yet emerging. The aim of this study is twofold: (1) to evaluate
Deliberate ingestion of foreign bodies as a form of self-harm among inpatients within forensic mental health and intellectual disability services [2018]
Deliberate foreign body ingestion is a significant issue in prison and psychiatric settings. It is associated with serious physical complications, including bowel obstruction, perforation and haemorrhage. Episodes of deliberate foreign body ingestion were identified retrospectively from 5417 incident records from
Developmental Disabilities Awareness in the Justice System Project – 2015-11-16
In its Knowledge Gap Analysis of Individuals with a Developmental Disability and Interactions with the Law, the Inter-ministerial Mental Health & Justice Committee identified a need to build capacity and share knowledge within the justice sector about people with developmental disabilities. This presentation
Developmental Disabilities in the Justice System
The Community Networks of Specialized Care are pleased to have been selected to lead a provincial initiative to raise awareness of developmental disabilities in the criminal justice system. The initiative is in response to a knowledge gap identified by the
Developmental Disabilities in the Justice System
Developmental Disability Awareness in the Criminal Justice System is a project funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services. The purpose is to address the knowledge and skills gaps that have been identified by service recipients and service providers
Diagnosing Autism in Adults with Intellectual Disability: Validation of the DiBAS-R in an Independent Sample – 2017
The study assessed the diagnostic validity of the diagnostic behavioral assessment for autism spectrum disorders-revised (DiBAS-R; 19-item screening scale based on ratings by caregivers) in a clinical sample of 381 adults with ID. Analysis revealed a sensitivity of 0.82 and
Dual Diagnosis: A Problematic Construct When Applied to Persons with Intellectual Disabilities [2018]
The term dual diagnosis can refer to the co-occurrence of an intellectual disability and a mental disorder. While such a term may have some advocacy rationale aimed at facilitating improved mental health care for those with intellectual disabilities, it is
Effectiveness of medication reviews in identifying and reducing medication‐related problems among people with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review [2019]
Background Polypharmacy is common in people with intellectual disabilities. Using multiple medication may lead to unintended medication‐related problems (MRPs). Medication review may serve as a tool to reduce MRPs. This systematic review assessed the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of
Effects of mindfulness, coping styles and resilience on job retention and burnout in caregivers supporting aggressive adults with developmental disabilities [2019]
Background Considering the growing body of studies investigating the effects of mindfulness‐based interventions on caregivers supporting people with developmental disabilities, the current study aimed to explore the role that the cognitive processes of mindfulness, coping style and resilience played in
Evaluation of a Program Model for Minimizing Restraint and Seclusion [2018]
This study conducted a longitudinal evaluation of an organizational change effort to minimize restraint and seclusion within a behavioral healthcare facility that serves at-risk and high-risk clients with intellectual, developmental, and psychiatric disabilities, using a context, input, process, and product
Evaluation of Factors Related to Prolonged Lengths of Stay for Patients With Autism With or Without Intellectual Disability [2019]
Patients with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual disability (ASD/ID) face unique health care challenges. In addition to hospital experiences characterized by fear and insufficient staff training, these patients have 1.5-times longer lengths of stay (LOS) than patients without ASD/ID, and
Examining the utility of the Stages of Change model for working with offenders with learning disabilities [2018]
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the Stages of Change (SOC) model can be applied to working with offenders with learning disabilities (LD), and furthermore, to determine if it might be efficacious for this approach to
Experiences of parents who support a family member with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour: “This is what I deal with every single day” [2018]
Background: Research into parents’ experiences of living with a family member with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour does not specifically address what parents say about themselves and their lives. This paper explores “I-statements” parents made about their day-to-day actions in
Exploring Differences in Criminogenic Risk Factors and Criminal Behavior Between Young Adult Violent Offenders With and Without Mild to Borderline Intellectual Disability – 2016
The relation between mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID) and violent offense behavior was studied among a group of former juvenile delinquents currently in a diversion program for persistent young adult violent offenders from Amsterdam (N = 146). Offenders were
Finding the Right Assessment Measures for Young People with Intellectual Disabilities Who Display Harmful Sexual Behaviour [2016]
Background Previous studies and national reports have all noted that a significant proportion of the young people who display harmful sexual behaviours have intellectual disabilities. However, research on the topic has been scarce. This study presents a systematic review of
Head banging as a form of self-harm among inpatients within forensic mental health and intellectual disability services – 2018-01-11
Introduction: ‘Head banging’ is a common form of self-harm, linked to numerous negative outcomes including significant brain damage. However, little research has investigated head banging behaviour and its correlates in clinical populations. Method: Head banging episodes were identified from the
