No abstract

The PAS-ADD Checklist is a quick and easy to use screening tool. Although at present it is the best measure available, it should not be the only method used to identify psychiatric disorders in people with intellectual disabilities.

Information on admission to psychiatric inpatient units is lacking from the literature on contemporary services for people with intellectual disability and mental health needs. Here we report on predictors of admission for a cohort of 752 adults from this population living in community settings; 83 were admitted. We also report on two subsamples of this cohort for whom different psychometric measures concerned with psychiatric symptoms and behavior had been completed. Schizophrenia spectrum disorders and mild intellectual disabilities independently predicted admission for the total cohort. The presence of symptoms associated with psychosis and the presence of physical aggression predicted admission in the subsamples.

Significant trends in referrals were identified, which may be explained by various external factors.

This article considers variables associated with the presence of a psychiatric diagnosis in those referred to a specialist mental health service for people with mental retardation (MR). Data were collected on 752 newly referred clients. The presence of a psychiatric diagnosis was assessed by two psychiatrists based on International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, criteria. A series of binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. Older age, mild MR, admission to an inpatient unit, referral from generic mental health services, and detention under current mental health legislation were associated with an increased presence of any psychopathology. Severe MR, the presence of epilepsy, and residence with the family were associated with a lower incidence of any psychopathology. Findings relating to specific psychiatric diagnoses on the whole supported previous research. Clear service arrangements are necessary for people with mild MR who have a high incidence of psychiatric disorders.