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Chapter 1 - Intellectual Disability

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2024

By
Ken Courtenay ,
Tadhgh Lane  and
Indermeet Sawhney
Edited by
David M. L. Branford ,
Satheesh K. Gangadharan ,
Mary Barrett  and
Regi T. Alexander
David M. L. Branford
Affiliation:
Independent Pharmacy Consultant
Satheesh K. Gangadharan
Affiliation:
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
Mary Barrett
Affiliation:
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
Regi T. Alexander
Affiliation:
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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Summary

An introduction and overview of intellectual disability. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) diagnostic criteria for intellectual disability (DSM-5 criteria) are covered: Deficits in general mental abilities; Impairment in adaptive functioning for individual’s age and sociocultural background which may include communication, social skills, person independence, and school or work functioning; All symptoms must have an onset during the developmental period; The condition may be subcategorised according to severity based on adaptive functioning as mild, moderate, or severe. The chapter also covers the role and evidence base for medication and key issues when prescribing for people with intellectual disability.

Keywords

intellectual disabilitylearning disabilityprescribingguidancemental healthmedicationpsychiatryevidence basedeprescribingoveruse of medication
Type
Chapter
Information
The Frith Prescribing Guidelines for People with Intellectual Disability , pp. 1 - 12
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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