ERIC Number: EJ1234190
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1366-8250
EISSN: N/A
The Complexity of Lifelong Comorbidities with Severe Intellectual Disability
Wark, Stuart; Kingstone, Martin
Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, v44 n4 p431-438 2019
Background: This descriptive single-case study reports upon a four-decade history of health care and support provided to one male with life-long intellectual disability and significant comorbidities. Methods: All available paper and electronic documentation from the past 40 years was reviewed, with relevant health and medication information collated and summarised. Results: The collated information notes radical movement in mental health diagnoses and significant emerging physical health issues. There are disparate and sometimes contradictory mental and physical health diagnoses from age 2 years and significant changes in treatment. Conclusions: This case outlines a number of important issues for medical and health care practitioners to consider when supporting individuals with intellectual disability. Clear differentiation between an existing intellectual disability, autism, and emerging mental health concerns has remained problematic over many decades. The lack of effective pain management, when contrasted against comprehensive medication regimes for health issues, is particularly concerning.
Descriptors: Comorbidity, Health Services, Intellectual Disability, Documentation, Drug Therapy, Mental Health, Physical Health, Clinical Diagnosis, Pain, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Case Studies, Educational Background, Males, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A