Introduction: Hypothyroidism is a chronic health condition which causes physical, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms. The prevalence of hypothyroidism in adults with intellectual disabilities is under researched. Method: Hypothyroidism was examined among 463 patients within an outpatient intellectual disability psychiatric team. Clinic records…

Autistic individuals are twice as likely to meet criteria for anxiety than neurotypical children; yet we lack understanding of early presentations of anxiety in young autistic children, especially those with cognitive impairment. This study is the first to utilize an autism-specific anxiety diagnostic interview with 28 preschool cognitively…

The aim of this study was to compare the rates of psychotropic medication use and psychotropic polypharmacy between autistic adults with and without intellectual disability (ID) and to examine factors associated with psychotropic medication use and psychotropic polypharmacy in autistic adults, stratified by the presence of ID. We conducted a…

Background: Little research has been conducted solely exploring gender diversity in people with intellectual disabilities. This review explores the literature, discusses the prevalence, and identifies clinical best practices for people at the intersection of gender diversity and intellectual disability. Method: A scoping review was conducted…

Background: Individuals with intellectual disabilities are amongst the groups most vulnerable to sexual crimes. However, their limited cognitive abilities can make it challenging to obtain detailed statements from victims during investigative interviews. This study examined whether practising answering open-ended questions early in the interview…

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) are vulnerable to multiple long-term conditions (MLTC). However, in the UK, there are no individual strategies tailored for them. This study synthesised evidence on prevalence of MLTC in people with ID alongside risk factors, outcomes and preventative strategies. The scoping review used the tool Abstrackr…

Background: This meta-analysis aims to: (i) describe the pooled prevalence of diabetes in people with intellectual disabilities, (ii) investigate the association with demographic, clinical and treatment-related factors and (iii) compare the prevalence versus age- and gender-matched general population controls. Methods: PubMed, Embase and CINAHL…

Introduction: There is considerable international research indicating health disparities between people with and without intellectual disabilities. It is important that comparative studies use representative population samples. This study compares a total administrative population of adults with intellectual disability to a random stratified…

Background: Youth with intellectual disabilities experiencing homelessness are invisible within multiple service sectors. We know little about their experiences of homelessness, or the impacts of such on the social and physical health and well-being. Methods: We used quantitative and qualitative methods to measure prevalence and learn from key…

Background: Suicidality in individuals with intellectual disability is a critical but under-researched area. This systematic review aims to synthesize existing literature on the prevalence, risk factors, and interventions for suicidality among individuals with intellectual disability. Methods: Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive…

Background: People with intellectual disabilities are more likely to experience sleep problems, which can affect quality of life, physical health, mental health and well-being. Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted to investigate what is known about behavioural sleep disturbances in people with an intellectual disability. The…

Background: Typically developing (TD) siblings play a crucial role in promoting the health and well-being of adults with intellectual disabilities. Their involvement in the sibling relationship during adulthood may predict their likelihood of providing care to the sibling with intellectual disabilities (ID). However, different types of motivations…

Skin picking is highly prevalent in people with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). This study addressed the temporal (frequency, duration) and wider characteristics (e.g. type of skin picked, apparent motivations, or management strategies) of skin picking to inform intervention strategies. Nineteen parents/carers who observe skin picking shown by the…

Background: This study explored antiepileptic drug use, frequency of seizures, and the effect of psychotropic drugs with the potential to lower the seizure threshold in persons diagnosed with epilepsy and intellectual disability. Methods: Data for this study were drawn from Wave 3 of the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal…

This report provides updated prevalence estimates for diagnosed autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and other developmental delay among children 3-17 years from the 2019-2021 National Health Interview Survey, with differences in prevalence examined between years and by sex, age group, and race and Hispanic origin. Estimates are also…