Showing papers by "Yona Lunsky published in 2006"

Consensus guidelines for primary health care of adults with developmental disabilities

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To develop practical Canadian guidelines for primary health care providers based on the best available evidence for addressing health issues in adults with developmental disabilities (DD). QUALITY OF EVIDENCE Authors of background papers synthesized information from their own clinical experience, from consultations with other experts, and from relevant professional publications. Based on discussions of these papers at a colloquium of knowledgeable health care providers, a consensus statement was developed. Standard criteria were used to select guidelines for consideration and to rank evidence supporting them. Most evidence was level III. MAIN MESSAGE People with DD have complex health issues, some differing from those of the general population. Adequate primary health care is necessary to identify these issues and to prevent morbidity and premature death. Physical, behavioural, and mental health diffi culties should be addressed, and primary health care providers should be particularly attentive to the interactions of biological, psychological, and social factors contributing to health, since these interactions can easily be overlooked in adults with DD. Attention must also be paid to such ethical issues as informed consent and avoidance of harm. Developmental disabilities are not grounds for care providers to withhold or to withdraw medically indicated interventions, and decisions concerning such interventions should be based on patients’ best interests. CONCLUSION Implementing the guidelines proposed here would improve the health of adults with DD and minimize disparities in health and health care.

A preliminary study of perceived stress in adults with intellectual disabilities according to self-report and informant ratings.

Abstract: Background Stress is a major risk factor for mental health problems in individuals with intellectual disabilities, however few studies on stress have been conducted that take into account the perspective of both the person with the disability and the caregiver. The present study evaluated an informant version of the Lifestress Inventory, and compared it to the self‐report version.Method Seventy individuals with intellectual disability paired with their caregivers completed the Lifestress Inventory, the Inventory of Negative Social Interactions and the Birleson Depression Scale.Results Informant and self‐report ratings on the Lifestress Inventory were internally reliable, showed modest agreement with each other and correlated with the Negative Social Interactions and Depression measures. The most troublesome stressors reported by informants and self‐reports differed, however, and families tended to agree more with self‐reports than did staff informants.Conclusions The informant version of the Lifes...

The Clinical Profile and Service Needs of Hospitalized Adults With Mental Retardation and a Psychiatric Diagnosis

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study compared patients with both mental retardation and a psychiatric diagnosis with patients who did not have co-occurring mental retardation who were served in Ontario's tertiary mental health care system in terms of demographic characteristics, symptom profile, strengths and resources, and clinical service needs. METHODS: A secondary analysis of data from the Colorado Client Assessment Record (CCAR) that were collected between 1999 and 2003 from all tertiary psychiatric hospitals in Ontario, Canada, was completed for a random sample of 3,927 cases, representing 12,470 patients receiving psychiatric services. RESULTS: Patients with both mental retardation and a psychiatric diagnosis differed from those who did not have mental retardation in terms of demographic characteristics, diagnostic and symptom profile, resources, and recommended level of care. More specifically, patients with both mental retardation and a psychiatric diagnosis had significantly worse ratings across nearly all CCA...

Individual Differences in Interpersonal Relationships for Persons with Mental Retardation

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter explains some different ways in which interpersonal relationships can be understood and measured. The chapter explores how research on motivation and mental retardation is relevant to research on relationships and considers internal factors that may account for differences among individuals with mental retardation. It reviews research on positive and negative relationships among the general population and individuals with mental retardation. The chapter considers whether there are individual differences with regard to how well people with mental retardation reciprocate in their relationships, as well as how relationships can be conceptualized on a level broader than individually. A model of interpersonal relationships is proposed, which, while addressing specific concerns about people with mental retardation, should also be applicable more broadly. Implications of this model as well as suggestions for intervention are explored.