BACKGROUND: To describe the characteristics of those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) treated within a forensic intellectual disability hospital and to compare them with those without ASD. METHOD: Service evaluation of a cohort of 138 patients treated over a 6-year period. RESULTS: Of the 138, 42 had an ASD. Personality disorders and harmful use or dependence on drugs were significantly lower in the ASD group. The ASD group was less likely to be subject to criminal sections or restriction orders. Self-harm was significantly higher in the ASD group. There were no differences in the length of stay and direction of care pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Although the ASD and non-ASD groups differ on clinical and forensic characteristics, their treatment outcomes appear similar. This suggests that the diagnostic category of ASD alone may be inadequate in predicting the treatment outcome. There is a case to identify distinct typologies within the ASD group.
BACKGROUND: To describe the characteristics of those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) treated within a forensic intellectual disability hospital and to compare them with those without ASD. METHOD: Service evaluation of a cohort of 138 patients treated over a 6-year period. RESULTS: Of the 138, 42 had an ASD. Personality disorders and harmful use or dependence on drugs were significantly lower in the ASD group. The ASD group was less likely to be subject to criminal sections or restriction orders. Self-harm was significantly higher in the ASD group. There were no differences in the length of stay and direction of care pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Although the ASD and non-ASD groups differ on clinical and forensic characteristics, their treatment outcomes appear similar. This suggests that the diagnostic category of ASD alone may be inadequate in predicting the treatment outcome. There is a case to identify distinct typologies within the ASD group.
Authors: Catrin Morrissey; Peter E Langdon; Nicole Geach; Verity Chester; Michael Ferriter; William R Lindsay; Jane McCarthy; John Devapriam; Dawn-Marie Walker; Conor Duggan; Regi Alexander Journal: BJPsych Open Date: 2017-02-13
Authors: Ipsita Ray; Alexander I F Simpson; Roland M Jones; Kristina Shatokhina; Anupam Thakur; Benoit H Mulsant Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2019-10-15 Impact factor: 4.157
Authors: Jane McCarthy; Eddie Chaplin; Susan Hayes; Erik Søndenaa; Verity Chester; Catrin Morrissey; Clare S Allely; Andrew Forrester Journal: Psychiatr Psychol Law Date: 2021-11-03