The prevalence and incidence of mental ill-health in adults with autism and intellectual disabilities

Melville, C.A., Cooper, S.-A., Morrison, J. , Smiley, E., Allan, L., Jackson, A., Finlayson, J. and Mantry, D. (2008) The prevalence and incidence of mental ill-health in adults with autism and intellectual disabilities. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(9), pp. 1676-1688. (doi: 10.1007/s10803-008-0549-7)

Abstract

The prevalence, and incidence, of mental ill-health in adults with intellectual disabilities and autism were compared with the whole population with intellectual disabilities, and with controls, matched individually for age, gender, ability-level, and Down syndrome. Although the adults with autism had a higher point prevalence of problem behaviours compared with the whole adult population with intellectual disabilities, compared with individually matched controls there was no difference in prevalence, or incidence of either problem behaviours or other mental ill-health. Adults with autism who had problem behaviours were less likely to recover over a two-year period than were their matched controls. Apparent differences in rates of mental ill-health are accounted for by factors other than autism, including Down syndrome and ability level.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com
• Keywords: Intellectual disabilities, autism, mental ill-health, psychiatry, epidemiology, psychiatric classification.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Allan, Miss Lesley and Finlayson, Miss Janet and Morrison, Professor Jill and Smiley, Dr Elita and Cooper, Professor Sally-Ann and Melville, Professor Craig and Jackson, Dr Alison
• Authors: Melville, C.A., Cooper, S.-A., Morrison, J., Smiley, E., Allan, L., Jackson, A., Finlayson, J., and Mantry, D.
• Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
• ISSN: 0162-3257
• ISSN (Online): 1573-3432
• Published Online: 29 February 2008
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2008 Springer
• First Published: First published in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 38(9):1676-1688
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher