Hide

intellectual disability

Central and Eastern Sydney is home to approximately 10,500 individuals with intellectual disability (ID), with a significant portion (47%) aged between 12 and 25 years. Many people with ID face mental health (MH) challenges, with 57% also experiencing a psychiatric disability or other MH disorders. However, there is limited access to long-term, specialised MH services, with only four MH providers in CESPHN explicitly offering ID-specific support on their websites.

Mental health presentations can differ to how people without an ID present. Changes in behaviour or behaviourals of concern to others is a common reason for presentation for people with ID.

People with ID are at of risk ‘diagnostic overshadowing’, whereby a person’s current state is inappropriately attributed to their intellectual disability rather than to ill mental health. Such factors can result in under-diagnosis and undertreatment of mental illness.

ID Mental Health Assessment Pointers

  • It is important to take a longitudinal approach to assessment.
  • Consider how you can meet the communication, sensory and physical needs of the person with intellectual disability during the assessment process.
  • Establish baseline functioning to gain a better perspective on the presenting problems.
  • Behavioural changes can be a result of mental or physical health.
  • Seek collateral information from carers, family, support workers and health and disability professionals.
  • Standard diagnosis criteria may not consider atypical or behavioural manifestations of mental illness for people with intellectual disability.
  • Tentative or provisional diagnoses may be required, and diagnosis is often an ongoing process.

Further information and Assessment Tools

Clinical Support and Learning

HealthPathways

Mental Health Conditions in Adults with an Intellectual Disability Compliments the behaviours of concern pathway for individuals with comorbid mental health concerns. Provides practical advice on the use of medications where indicated, as well as sources of support or referral if required. 

GP Psychiatry Helpline

The GP Psychiatry Support Line 1800 16 17 18 is a new free service to GPs to help manage the care of mental health consumers.
The service is not about triaging or referring consumers to a psychiatrist, but rather keeping consumers whose conditions are able to be treated within primary care under the care of their GP.
The Support line can help with diagnosis, investigation, medication and safety plan.

UNSW 3DN and Intellectual Disability Mental Health Connect

ID Mental Health Connect is a UNSW initiative offers tailored information for:
– mainstream mental health professionals and GPs
– professionals who work in other health, disability, and social services. 

Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN)
3DN has developed a range of resources for health professionals including a core competency framework and online modules to help them develop the necessary knowledge and skills to provide quality health care to people with an intellectual disability.

Learning

Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN)
3DN has developed a range of resources for health professionals including a core competency framework and online modules to help them develop the necessary knowledge and skills to provide quality health care to people with an intellectual disability.

Adult Intellectual Disability Mental Health (AIDMH) ECHO
Through participation, healthcare professionals can develop confidence and specialised knowledge to deliver specialised mental health care to adults with intellectual disability within their own local communities. 
This ECHO is run by the Statewide Intellectual Disability Mental Health Outreach Service. They offer consultation to health professionals working with adults with intellectual disability where there concerns about their mental health or behaviour.


Mental Health Services

Statewide Disability Mental health hubs 

Two Statewide Intellectual Disability Mental Health Hubs have been established to help people with intellectual or developmental disability access appropriate mental health care. One Hub is for children and young people, and one Hub is for adults. Both are funded by NSW Health.
Telephone Advice and Case-Based Discussions with SIDMHOS team members are offered to all registered health professionals practicing in NSW, with a view to providing general mental health care guidance for their current consumers with an intellectual disability.
Requests can be made by contacting our intake number on (02) 9767 7889 or emailingSLHD-SIDMHOS@health.nsw.gov.au
Referrals for Case Discussions, Case Reviews and Joint Assessments require the referrer to complete the online referral form prior to being offered an appointment.
If you are unsure what type of clinical service best suits your situation their intake worker will be happy to discuss these options with you.

Patient service information

ICLA – Embark 

SANE