Treatment Considerations for Transitional-age Youth with Intellectual/ Developmental Disabilities and Co-morbid SMI-Lecture Presentation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Rebecca McCloskey, a board-certified nurse practitioner in psychiatry and mental health, discusses treatment considerations for transitional age youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and comorbid serious mental illness (SMI). She defines transitional age youth as individuals from 16 to 24-26 years old, accounting for about 30 million Americans. McCloskey emphasizes that this is a unique time in individuals' lives as they experience changes in legal status, housing, education, and healthcare. She mentions a Department of Health and Human Services report that highlights the need for a coordinated and comprehensive approach to support transitional age youth with IDD and SMI. McCloskey discusses the prevalence of SMI and IDD, as well as their overlap, estimating that 30-70% of children with IDD may also have comorbid SMI. She emphasizes the importance of screening and assessments to accurately diagnose and treat individuals in this population. McCloskey discusses medical legal considerations, such as guardianship and consent, and emphasizes the need for a supportive network and coordinated care. She also highlights the role of adjunctive therapies and the considerations for psychopharmacology in this population. McCloskey explains the common comorbid medical conditions, such as sensory conditions, neurologic conditions, movement disorders, cardiopulmonary conditions, metabolic conditions, reproductive issues, elimination disorders, and congenital malformations. She stresses the importance of considering these conditions in treatment planning and medication management. Lastly, McCloskey mentions the limited research available in this population and provides resources for further information, including the Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, the National Institute for Child Health and Development, APA, NIMH, and the SMI Advisor website.

Keywords

transitional age youth

intellectual and developmental disabilities

serious mental illness

comorbid conditions

medical legal considerations

adjunctive therapies

psychopharmacology