P J G Nouwens1, N B M Smulders1,2, P J C M Embregts1,3, C van Nieuwenhuizen1,4. 1. Department of Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Netherlands. 2. Prisma, Waalwijk, Netherlands. 3. Dichterbij Innovation and Science, Gennep, Netherlands. 4. GGzE, Institute for Forensic Mental Health Care, Centre for Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Among persons with a mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning, differences in their characteristics imply that a differentiated approach is required to meet their needs. This retrospective study examined whether the history of support/treatment programs and the type of healthcare providers involved matched the specific support needs of persons with a mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning. METHOD: Five (previously identified) profiles of persons with a mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning were used to investigate to what extent the support needs of this group had been met. For the 250 persons with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning who matched these five profiles, data were collected retrospectively from their case files. RESULTS: Persons with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning received a very similar amount and type of support/treatment programs. Differences between the profiles were found for non-verbal therapy, residential treatment and contacts with social work. Regarding the type of healthcare providers involved, differences between the profiles emerged for specialised intellectual disability services, youth services and specialised addiction services. CONCLUSIONS: The support programs for a heterogeneous population of persons with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning seem to be suboptimal, indicating that more differentiation is required in the services offered to these individuals.
BACKGROUND: Among persons with a mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning, differences in their characteristics imply that a differentiated approach is required to meet their needs. This retrospective study examined whether the history of support/treatment programs and the type of healthcare providers involved matched the specific support needs of persons with a mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning. METHOD: Five (previously identified) profiles of persons with a mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning were used to investigate to what extent the support needs of this group had been met. For the 250 persons with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning who matched these five profiles, data were collected retrospectively from their case files. RESULTS:Persons with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning received a very similar amount and type of support/treatment programs. Differences between the profiles were found for non-verbal therapy, residential treatment and contacts with social work. Regarding the type of healthcare providers involved, differences between the profiles emerged for specialised intellectual disability services, youth services and specialised addiction services. CONCLUSIONS: The support programs for a heterogeneous population of persons with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning seem to be suboptimal, indicating that more differentiation is required in the services offered to these individuals.
Keywords:
borderline intellectual functioning; intellectual disability; mild intellectual disability; professional care; support and treatment programs; support needs
Authors: Peter J G Nouwens; Nienke B M Smulders; Petri J C M Embregts; Chijs van Nieuwenhuizen Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2020-02-10 Impact factor: 3.630