Poor mental health--compared to that of the neurotypical child population--is a serious concern for many autistic children and young people around the world. In the UK, we have an increasing number of autistic young people receiving care in NHS funded in-patient mental health facilities. While sensory processing differences have now been added to…

Autistic adults who have a history of committing crimes present a major problem for providers of services in terms of legal disposal options and possible interventions, and greater understanding of this group and their associated needs is required. For this reason, we aimed to investigate the face validity of a proposed sub-typology of autistic…

Using archival admissions records and case histories of patients at a British asylum from the 1860s to the 1870s, the authors examine the medical certification process leading to the asylum confinement of individuals judged to be "of unsound mind." These institutional texts are, the authors suggest, "occult genres" that…

Describes clinical, individual, and family characteristics of initial admissions to secure adolescent psychiatric unit. One-third constituted risk to themselves. Two-thirds had committed a recent serious offense. Reveals high levels of disruption and disadvantage in family and personal histories. Emphasizes need for appropriate after-care…

Analyzed 3 years of admissions to regional adolescent psychiatric unit to obtain information on referral, adolescent and family, and behaviors leading to admission. Found slight excess of male admissions; two-thirds of admissions to be 14 or 15 years of age; high proportion of social worker referrals. Intolerable physical violence was reason for…

Epidemiologically based study investigated 14 suicides among current patients of London psychiatric unit. Statistical analysis showed it to be discrete cluster of suicides, rather than chance occurrence. Found no evidence of direct linkage or "contagion" between suicides. Thirteen patients suffered from severe, chronic mental illness.…

Background: Inpatient beds for the psychiatric assessment and treatment of young people (under the age of 18 years) with intellectual disability have become scarce although there is pressure to redevelop them. In the UK, 63% of the NHS beds are at Prudhoe Hospital. This study examines their role and utility in relation to community services, both…

Notes that disturbances periodically occur in psychiatric Adolescent Units. Argues that, by delaying full resolution of these social disturbances, maximum therapeutic benefit may be gained. Illustrated by clinical example, shows how prolonging complete resolution can effect change for adolescent, adolescent's social network, and Adolescent Unit…

Background: Inpatient treatment is a complex intervention for the most serious mental health disorders in child and adolescent psychiatry. This is the first large-scale study into its effectiveness and costs. Previous studies have been criticised for methodological weaknesses. Methods: A prospective cohort study, including economic evaluation,…

Conducted retrospective analysis of referrals (n=275) to regional adolescent psychiatric service over two years, focusing on selected social and family variables, to identify areas of potential unmet need and relationship between these factors and clinical variables. Social and family disadvantage was well represented in patients, but few were…

In a survey of 120 inpatients admitted to a United Kingdom acute psychiatric ward, 46% reported a history of childhood sexual abuse. Only 14%, however, had disclosed the abuse previously to psychiatrists. The patterns of abuse were found to correspond with those causing problems with adjustment in adult life. (CR)

Interviewed 20 adolescents recently discharged from Hill End Adolescent Unit. Over one-half of sample described some benefit, most notably from drama therapy, family therapy, and peer group support. Areas of difficulty included objections to video recording and one-way mirrors; dislike of being on grounds of psychiatric hospital; inadequate…

Study supported by funds from the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration, the Research Institute for the Study of Man, the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health, and Smith Kline & French Laboratories.

The objective of this study is to assess whether children's needs are taken into consideration in female patients who are admitted to an adult psychiatric hospital. A retrospective case note audit of 100 female inpatients aged between 18 and 55 years over a 6-month period were randomly selected. The medical and nursing case notes of patients with…