Adults with mental disabilities

By Carolyn C. Older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can present clinicians with unique challenges related to appropriate assessment and treatment. Providers need to develop the skills and sensitivity necessary to effectively treat these patients. Adults with developmental disabilities are living longer, healthier, more meaningful lives.

Developmental disabilities are attributable to a cognitive impairment, physical impairment, or both. They manifest during the developmental period from birth to early adulthood, and are likely to continue indefinitely. The life expectancy of most persons with developmental disabilities now approaches that of the general population. According to the neurodiversity model of care, developmental disability is accepted as a valued part of human neurologic diversity.

Intellectual disability ID , also known as general learning disability [3] and mental retardation MR , [4] [5] is a generalized neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significantly impaired intellectual and adaptive functioning. It is defined by an IQ under 70 , in addition to deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors that affect everyday, general living. Once focused almost entirely on cognition , the definition now includes both a component relating to mental functioning and one relating to an individual's functional skills in their daily environment.

Large numbers of people with co-occurring developmental disorders and mental illnesses now live in the community. Though not specifically trained to care for this population, community psychiatrists already have the necessary basic concepts and skills from working with adults with persistent mental illnesses. There are, however, some population-specific aspects of information collection, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and application of treatment. This paper presents a practical approach to the community mental health care of people with developmental disabilities and mental disorders.