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Chapter 15 - Management of Violence in People With Intellectual Disability

from Section 4 - Management in Other Groups

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 May 2023

By
Mervyn Yong ,
Laura Humphries ,
Ingrid Bohnen ,
Alina Bakala  and
Anusha Wijeratne
Edited by
Masum Khwaja  and
Peter Tyrer
Masum Khwaja
Affiliation:
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London
Peter Tyrer
Affiliation:
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London
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Summary

Violent behaviour displayed by individuals with intellectual disability (ID) is one of the biggest challenges to services. It can cause serious consequences to the health and well-being of the individual and those involved in their care, including exclusion from services or social groups. There is a greater risk of violence in the ID population and aetiological causes include biological and psychosocial factors and developmental disorders such as ASD and ADHD. Key management strategies involve a review of these factors, robust risk assessments and collaborative working utilising a multidisciplinary approach. Psychological and behavioural support interventions offered should be person-centred and tailored according to their needs. The goal is to assess and modify psychological, environmental or social factors and improve challenging behaviour. Pharmacological treatment can be helpful where underlying physical or mental health illnesses contribute to aggression. In those without obvious causes of violent behaviour, psychotropic medication can be also used to attenuate risks; however, current evidence base is limited and medication options should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Keywords

Intellectual disabilityautismaggressiontraumaaetiologytreatmentantipsychoticstransforming care
Type
Chapter
Information
The Prevention and Management of Violence
Guidance for Mental Healthcare Professionals
 , pp. 248 - 259
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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