Background: Feeding difficulties, including aspiration risk, are common in children with Down syndrome. Identifying factors affecting feeding modality is crucial. Method: This cross-sectional study included 335 children with Down syndrome (aged 4-12 years; mean 5.2). Feeding was assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), the Screening…

Background: People with intellectual disabilities are at increased risk of presenting behaviours that challenge. Behaviour support plans (BSPs) guide the use of bespoke strategies to maximise life quality and reduce the risk of behaviours that challenge. The behaviour support plan content appraisal tool (BSP-CAT) was developed to assess and…

Background: Behavioural problems in individuals with intellectual disabilities have a negative impact on them. Limited assessment measures exist in Spain. This study aimed to validate the Behavior Problems Inventory--Short Form (BPI-S) in the Spanish population by examining its psychometric properties and factorial structures. Method: This study…

Background: Engagement of individuals with an intellectual disability and their caregivers in health care has been highlighted as an essential factor in developing services that better meet client needs; however, few studies have focused on the engagement of individuals with a dual diagnosis (intellectual disability co-occurring with a mental…

Background: People with neurodevelopmental disabilities are frequently prescribed or administered psychotropic medication, particularly to manage behaviours of concern. Reducing inappropriate psychotropic use has been the target of international research and policy for several decades. Methods: Six electronic databases were searched for…

Background: Active Support is a staff practice that aims to increase engagement of people with intellectual disabilities. This study seeks to: (1) identify the outcomes of staff using Active Support and how these are measured; (2) identify how the views of people with intellectual disabilities have been included in Active Support research. Method:…

Background: There are increasing numbers of ageing family carers of older (40+) adults with intellectual disabilities who convey behaviours that challenge others in the UK. It is important to understand the needs and experiences of these carers as they support their older family member to transition to different care contexts. Method: A rapid…

Background: Children with neurodisabilities, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), autism and other complex needs, frequently experience sleep disturbances, impacting their health, behaviour and caregiver well-being. This study evaluates the effectiveness of Cubby Beds, sensory safety beds designed to improve…

Background: Arabs with intellectual disabilities and/or autism may exhibit challenging behaviour that affects them and their caregivers. Early, appropriate intervention may reduce these effects. This review synthesised and critically appraised challenging behaviour intervention research for this population. Methods: All published empirical…

Background: Building 'key skills' may help prevent the development of challenging behaviour in children with an intellectual disability. The aim of this paper was to extend the current limited evidence in this area. Method: We undertook two studies with children with an intellectual disability in school settings: (1) a cross-sectional replication…

Adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities are often prescribed psychotropic medication on an "as needed" basis (PRN) in response to behavioural challenges. In the present study we conducted a retrospective analysis of medication administration records in the 6-months preceding and following discharge of 11 adults…

Background: Adults with intellectual disabilities often display behaviour that challenges that is a result of biological differences, psychological challenges, and lack of appropriate social support. Intensive Support Teams (IST) are recommended to support the care needs of this group and avoid hospitalisation. However, little attention has been…

Background: We aimed to identify key factors in implementing and adhering to positive behaviour support (PBS), provided by frontline staff, targeting challenging behaviours of people with intellectual disabilities living in residential group homes. Method: Using semi-structured interviews with 12 frontline staff members, we collected perspectives…

Background: Restrictive measures (RM) are prevalent in services for people with intellectual disabilities. This study investigates managerial awareness of RM and the nature of organisational supports required to reduce their use. Method: A survey asked front-line managers and staff what (RM) were used, their purpose, impact and importance (10-item…

Background: People with intellectual disabilities often present a discrepancy between emotional and cognitive development, which may play a role in the presence of some psychiatric disorders and problem behaviour (PB). Method: Observational, cross-sectional study of 192 adults with intellectual disabilities and psychiatric disorders. Results: We…