Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR
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J Intellect Disabil Res · Mar 2006
Comparative StudySyndrome specificity and behavioural disorders in young adults with intellectual disability: cultural differences in family impact.
This study examined whether behaviour problems and adaptive behaviour of low functioning young adults, and well-being of their families, varied by diagnostic syndrome [intellectual disability (ID) only, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism], as well as by cultural group. ⋯ Caregivers of young adults with autism report more maladaptive behaviour problems and lower personal well-being, or stress, relative to other diagnostic groups, regardless of cultural group. However, cultural differences exist in caregiver reports of depression, morale, and positive perceptions. Implications for service provision aimed at families of children with challenging behaviour problems are discussed in the context of culture.
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J Intellect Disabil Res · Nov 2005
Comparative StudyRefining diagnoses: applying the DC-LD to an Irish population with intellectual disability.
The diagnostic criteria for psychiatric disorders for use with adults with learning disabilities/mental retardation (DC-LD) is a diagnostic tool developed in 2001 to improve upon existing classification systems for adults with learning disability. The aim of this study was to apply the classification system described by the DC-LD to a residential intellectual disability (ID) population to examine whether it improved our diagnostic understanding of residents. ⋯ In people with moderate to profound learning disabilities, diagnosis continues to be challenging. The DC-LD is a useful tool in helping to clarify diagnoses in this population by providing revised criteria and a system to classify problem behaviours. The DC-LD would be more helpful if specific axes were included to document medical and psychosocial problems independently from other diagnoses. Further research is warranted to determine whether the DC-LD hierarchical approach to diagnosis improves diagnostic validity.
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J Intellect Disabil Res · Mar 2005
Capacity to make financial decisions among people with mild intellectual disabilities.
Although there has been growing recognition of the importance of enabling people with intellectual disabilities (ID) to be more directly involved in managing their own financial affairs, so far, little is known about this aspect of their decision- making. ⋯ The findings support a functional approach to the assessment of financial decision-making for both legal and clinical purposes, but raise concerns about mental incapacity legislation and assessment.
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J Intellect Disabil Res · Jan 2005
Behavioural, academic and neuropsychological profile of normally gifted Neurofibromatosis type 1 children.
In the present study the neuropsychological, academic and social-emotional profiles were examined in Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) children. ⋯ Nearly 50% (8/17) of the children showed learning disabilities, when corrected for IQ in the academic evaluations. Isolated impaired literacy skills, particularly spelling problems, were most frequent (4/8), whereas a pure arithmetic learning disability was rare (1/8). Three children presented both learning disabilities. Results on academic and neuropsychological tests did not fit the well-known types of learning disabilities -- nonverbal learning disability (NLD) and dyslexia. Nearly all NF1 children showed visual perceptual and executive dysfunctions. In this study, teachers more frequently reported behavioural problems in NF1 children than parents, as opposed to literature data in a general population. The correspondence of the perception of internalizing problems between the children and teachers was greater than between children and their parents. No correlation was found between the performances on the WISC-R, specific neuropsychological results, academic performances and behavioural problems. The Deficiency in Attention, Motor and Perception (DAMP) concept seems most appropriate in order to describe the neuropsychological deficits and their repercussions on behavioural and academic performances seen in NF1 children.
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J Intellect Disabil Res · Nov 2004
Intravenous sedation for dental patients with intellectual disability.
The poor quality of oral health care for people with intellectual disability (ID) has been recognized, and the strong fears about dental treatment suggested as a major reason for disturbances of visits to dentists by such patients. Intravenous sedation is a useful method for relieving the anxiety and fear of such patients about dental treatment, and is frequently essential for ID patients undergoing dental treatment. However, decision regarding the dose of sedative required to be administered for an adequate level of sedation is difficult because the effect of sedation cannot be adequately assessed in patients with severe ID. As an appropriate sedative dose for dental patients with ID has not been fully established, we investigated sedative doses required and the effect of sedation in patients with ID, compared with other dental patients. ⋯ The results of this study show that intravenous sedation is a useful method for dental patients with ID as well as for other dental patients, but indicate that dental patients with ID need higher doses of sedative to obtain an adequate level of sedation.