Guest editorial

Article Type: Guest editorial From: Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, Volume 7, Issue 2

I am delighted to have been invited to be the guest editor for this edition of Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Journal. This edition considers some of the forensic/medicolegal aspects relevant to the mental health of children and adolescents with intellectual disability. There are a wide range of papers, including those on assessing young people with offending behaviour in inpatient settings, living with a child who is challenging, neuropsychological findings in young people with neurodevelopmental disorders and forensic issues, Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act and interventions for people with intellectual disabilities who commit arson. These exciting topics will promote discussion and, hopefully, further research in this field. I am sure these papers will be of value both in children and young people’s settings and settings that assess and manage adults with intellectual disability and mental health or behavioural problems.

Tranah and Nicholas offer a succinct review on the current literature concerning interventions for young people with intellectual disability who commit arson. Assessment protocols have been reviewed and risk factors considered. Appropriate approaches to intervention are also discussed. This is of value when considering the challenges services face when managing this high risk group of young people.

The papers from Rippon and Gratton review the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act, respectively. Important consideration about the implementation of these acts for young people with intellectual disability is discussed. The principles of both Acts are highlighted. This has important implications for clinical practice.

The paper from Sinclair, Blencowe, McCaig and Misch considers the complexities in neuropsychological deficit associated with antisocial behaviour. They describe an interesting pilot study and report on preliminary data. A range of neuropsychological deficits were identified, which are important when considering the comprehensive neuropsychological assessment of young people with offending behaviour and also how appropriate intervention might be provided which accounts for these deficits.

The overview from Gralton of assessment in inpatient forensic services for adolescents with intellectual disabilities describes the needs of the population and the value of inpatient treatment for this complex group. A multi-disciplinary assessment and intervention approach is emphasised and the complex range of professionals required to manage this group of young people is considered. This will be of value when negotiating services with commissioners and managers.

Finally, Davies and Honeyman, from the Challenging Behaviour Foundation,consider the impact on the family of having a child with challenging behaviour and intellectual disabilities. This cannot be underestimated. The experience of three families highlights the lack of practical support, training and information and how isolated families become when having a child with complex behaviour. The authors also describe be the positive aspects of living with a child with challenging behaviour and consider the practical implications for the professionals who support these families.

It has been a real pleasure to assist with the editing of these papers submitted for the special edition of the journal and I would like to thank all the authors for their submissions. Research into the mental health needs of children and young people with Intellectual disabilities remains in its infancy. The high standard of work reported in this selection of papers is a credit to those working in this area. They serve to highlight the need for more research and dissemination of information about young people with intellectual disabilities and complex mental health needs and behavioural difficulties. It is hoped these papers will encourage others to consider further research, but also to consider how to develop effective evidence-based services for the young people they work with.

Sarah H. Bernard