Comorbid mental health problems in children with intellectual disabilities

Abstract EN

Background: There has been a growing interest in the quality of life in the field of intellectual/ developmental disabilities.

Having co- morbid mental disorders, psychological and behavioral problems on top of intellectual disabilities headed more negative impacts on wellbeing of these individuals and their care- givers.

Psychopathology with ID is a major cause of failure of community residential placement, reduced occupational opportunities in the post- school period, and leads to major restrictions in participation in recreational and educational programs.

Objectives: To assess the differential coexistence of Mental Health Problems and Intellectual Disabilities and evaluate their effect on ID children.

Methodology: Thirty mild- moderate {IQ: 56.7+ 6 4) ID children aged from (5 to 10) years, with co- morbid MHPs were compared to a similar number of matched ID children (IQ: 60.9± 2.7) without MHPs, both were recruited from outpatients clinics of Ain Shams University, during the period from December, 2015 to August, 2016.

All consenting participants’ IQs were estimated, their present mental status was screened adopting DSM- 5 criteria, and use of CBCL, SDQ.

Results: Co- morbid mental disorders were seen in 86.7% of ID children, most commonly as ADHD (23.3%), mood disorders (16.7 %,), ASD 13.3%, anxiety disorders 13.3%, and impulse control/ conduct disorders 10%.

Co- morbid mental problems were recorded in 93.3%, described as being aggressive (26.7%), disruptive (23.3%), and socially- relating 20%.

Aggressive behavior was commoner in boys, moderate degrees of ID, presence of co- morbid mental disorders, and seizures.

CBCL confirmed the clinical evaluation sensitively in all areas except somatic complaints and thought problems.

SDQs total difficulties rationalized the subgrouping of the study sample and rated prosocial and peer relations as being affected by MHPs, less obviously on conduct behaviors.

Conclusions: Dual diagnosis of MHPs with ID is a direct risk for a more negative impact on ID children Identification, assessment and application of MHP in ID persons are predictive of an external gold- standard of well-being of the children as well as the populations.