Background: Individuals with Down syndrome are an at-risk population for severe COVID-19 outcomes, due to genetic predispositions and comorbidities. The current study focused on differences between persons with and without Down syndrome regarding age and severity of disease. Method: We used medical statistics to compare patients with and without…

Background: Multiple disabilities represent separate entities that cannot be reduced to the sum of disabilities or the main disability. This study compared the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children and adolescents with multiple disabilities and those with one developmental disability. We further assessed how comorbidities and…

Background: Choking is a serious and under-recognised condition for adults with intellectual disability (ID), with health, psychological and potentially fatal consequences. This study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors for choking in a population-based sample of older adults with ID. Method: 597 adults with ID (mean age: 60 years…

Background: There is a need to systematically compare and contrast mortality predictors and disparities in people with intellectual disabilities (ID) for global prevention strategy development. Method: Bibliographic databases and grey literature were searched using systematic review methodology and the machine learning tool "Abstrackr."…

Background: It is highly recommended that professionals promote caregivers' capacity-building to use intervention strategies to support children with developmental delays or disabilities in natural learning environments, particularly in the earliest years of life. There is a gap, however, in understanding the extent to which these professionals…

Background: Epilepsy and challenging behaviour are both highly prevalent in the intellectual disability (ID) population and it is thus crucial to understand any possible associations between the two. Method: PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science were searched for quantitative data about epilepsy and any forms of challenging…

Background: Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) commonly live in specialised residential settings. Data collected from these adults are often nested. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of this data structure. Method: Referent caregivers completed the Reiss Screen for Maladaptive Behaviour for each of the 571 adults with ID who…

Background: People with intellectual disability experience elevated rates of mental ill health. Yet they face barriers in accessing appropriate individualised mental health care. Further research is required to learn about the capability of the mental health workforce to facilitate access and participation in quality mental health care for this…

Background: This descriptive single-case study reports upon a four-decade history of health care and support provided to one male with life-long intellectual disability and significant comorbidities. Methods: All available paper and electronic documentation from the past 40 years was reviewed, with relevant health and medication information…

Background: People with intellectual disability and chronic and complex support needs often require unique models of care that are intensive and expensive. How these supports can be continued within a rapidly changing policy and funding context in Australia, has not been fully determined. Method: This descriptive study utilised a retrospective…

Background: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) may be at risk for medication-related problems due to complex medication regimens. The objective of this study was to determine the medication regimen complexity of adults with IDD. Methods: This retrospective study compared the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI)…

Background: Psychomotor therapy enables people to reflect on the relationship between experiences and feelings by starting from awareness of bodily responses rather than from awareness of emotion. In this study we examine PsyMot (ID), an assessment that directs this psychological therapy. Method: Twelve suitable consecutive admissions were…

Background: Although many with intellectual disability come to the attention of services for fire setting, research in this area is scarce, which poses challenges for management. Method: In this paper we examined those with a fire-setting history (n = 30), identified from a sample of 138 patients treated in a UK forensic intellectual disability…

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adults is estimated to be at least 1% (Brugha et al., 2011), yet almost all ASD research focuses on children. Adult intervention studies, in particular, are few in number and poor in quality (Bishop-Fitzpatrick, Minshew, & Eack, 2013), and support networks for adults with ASD are much more…

Background: Pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) were originally conceptualised as a form of ("infantile") psychosis. Recently, the disorders have been viewed as separate constructs. However, there is evidence of overlapping psychopathology, pathophysiology, and occurrence of the two syndromes. Methods: A historical overview is provided. A…