Abstract
Background In persons with combined intellectual and sensory disabilities, mood disorders, stress reactions and attachment problems are more prevalent. This study assessed the presence of these problems within this target population and the effects of an additional Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Method Participants were 60 individuals with combined intellectual and sensory disabilities, all participants had visual impairments, 16 were deafblind. ASD was assessed with Observation of Autism in people with Sensory and Intellectual Disabilities. Additionally the Anxiety, Depression and Mood Scale, The list of Disturbed Attachment Behaviours and the Stress Survey Schedule were used. Results Almost every participant showed signs of a disturbed attachment. Stress and mood disorders were not prevalent. An additional ASD resulted in more disturbed attachment, manic and hyperactive behaviour and social avoidance. Conclusions Only for disturbed attachment a relatively high prevalence was found. The presence of ASD sometimes led to a different profile of the assessed problems.
Highlights
Mental health and behavioral problems are very common in persons with a combination of sensory and intellectual disabilities (ID)
The goal of the current study is to describe the range of mental health problems in a group of people with moderate to profound intellectual disability combined with a visual impairment or deafblindness, with and without symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
List of Disturbed Attachment Behaviors The list of disturbed attachment behaviors (Boris and Zeanah, 2005) is a screening instrument that gives an indication of how securely attached persons are to their caregivers
Summary
Mental health and behavioral problems are very common in persons with a combination of sensory and intellectual disabilities (ID). Behaviors indicative of insecure attachment, such as stereotyped behaviors or aggressive behaviors, are shown often (Janssen et al, 2002; Poppes et al, 2010) Both people with sensory and people with intellectual disabilities often show symptoms that are seen in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (De Bildt et al, 2005; Dammeyer, 2011). In persons with combined intellectual and sensory disabilities, mood disorders, stress reactions, and attachment problems are more prevalent. This study assessed the presence of these problems within this target population and the effects of an additional Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
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