Behavioral assessment allows a clinician to identify environmental events that are contributing to challenging behavior to inform effective treatment. Recent developments in behavioral assessment and treatment have been devoted to creating practical procedures that can be conducted by clinicians in socially relevant settings. However, the extent…

Many individuals diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are uncooperative during routine dental exams, leading to poor oral health in this population. Few studies have evaluated methodologies for preparing dental students and professionals to work effectively with patients diagnosed with IDD. In this study, experimenters…

Given that autistic children are hospitalized at higher rates than neurotypical peers, it is important to understand the autism-specific preparedness of healthcare providers. Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLSs) play a crucial role in pediatric hospitalizations by providing socioemotional support and coping strategies. The present study…

This study tested the feasibility and efficacy of a Virtual Reality (VR) social prediction training (VR-Spirit) specifically designed for patients with congenital cerebellar malformation. The study is a randomised controlled trial in which 28 cerebellar patients aged 7-25 yo were randomly allocated to the VR-Spirit or to a control intervention in…

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the demographic, clinical characteristics, and service systems of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or intellectual disability presenting to a large paediatric hospital emergency department (ED) with behaviours of concern (BOC) over a two-year period. Method: Retrospective audit…

Background: Relationships between dynamic risk factors for externalising problem behaviour and group climate were investigated in 151 adult in-patients with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning in a Dutch secure residential facility. Method: Regression analysis was used to predict "total group climate…

Hospitals, with many features that can evoke severe behavior in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often use restraint as a behavior management strategy. Prior research on restraint in patients with ASD has primarily focused on children or specific departments. Twenty-five physicians and medical trainees from an urban teaching hospital…

Background: Psychiatrists prescribe the psychotropic medication that is used to manage behaviors of concern (BOC) in people with intellectual disability (ID) (i.e., chemical restraint), and their attitudes and perceptions towards this treatment are important topics for study. Methods: 133 Queensland psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees completed…

Constipation is a common comorbidity among autistic adults, yet diagnosing and managing it poses unique challenges, notably due to communication barriers and a lack of specific guidelines. The study explores the professional practices of healthcare providers (HCPs) in managing constipation among autistic adults, the symptoms they identify, their…

Background: Addiction medicine still largely neglects the topic of mild and borderline intellectual disabilities (MBID), although patients with MBID are considered a risk group for substance-related problems and offending behaviour. This study aimed to explore the cognitive and adaptive impairments of inpatients in forensic addiction mental health…

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are frequent users of health services. We examined how their service utilization of emergency department (ED), inpatient hospitalization, and primary care physicians changed as they transitioned from fee-for-service to Medicaid managed care (MMC). Our results showed that MMC reduced the…

An increasing number of studies are investigating the links between autism and borderline personality disorder. Studies report overlapping differences and the challenges in differentiating between these two diagnostic labels. In practice, there are many people, especially autistic women, who feel that they were misdiagnosed with borderline…

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a known risk factor for substance-related problems (SRP) during adolescence, but the nature of this relationship and the importance of co-occurring conduct problems are not fully understood. Methods: Data stem from a linked dataset between a large population-based survey conducted in…

Background: Patients with diabetes and disabilities often have more difficulties in managing their diabetes. Little is known about how disabilities affect their use of diabetes education program. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between disabilities and diabetes education program use for patients with diabetes and…

About three in ten Americans with hypertension do not take medication to control their blood pressure. The risk and protective factors of non-adherence to prescribed anti-hypertensive medication have not been well investigated. Participants who were aware of their hypertension, advised by healthcare professional to take anti-hypertensive…