SpeechMatch-A novel digital approach to supporting communication for neurodiverse groups.

Communication can be a challenge for a significant minority of the population. Those with intellectual disability, autism, or Stroke survivors can encounter significant problems and stigma in their communication abilities leading to worse health and social outcomes. SpeechMatch (https://www.

Understanding the current provisions of support for people with an intellectual disabilities and/or autism in crisis: A mixed methods study.

Background: There has been significant reduction in inpatient beds for people with intellectual disability and/or autism (PwID/A) in the UK in the last decade following high profile national scandals in specialist psychiatric hospitals. To reduce inappropriate admissions a new strategy (Blue-Light, an emergency multi-disciplinary meeting to prevent admission to hospital) was introduced. However, there is no research on the influence of Blue-Light on crisis management for PwID/A.

An evaluation of a multidisciplinary care planning tool for people with intellectual disabilities and behaviours of concern.

Background: Multidisciplinary care planning for people with intellectual disabilities who engage in behaviours of concern (BoC) is challenging and complex. Effective collaborative understanding and action planning across all stakeholders is essential. Cornwall's Adult Community Learning Disability Team developed a care planning tool () using contemporary evidence and best practice.

Evidencing the challenges of care delivery for people with intellectual disability and epilepsy in England by using the Step Together toolkit.

Background: People with intellectual disability (PwID) and epilepsy have increased premature and potentially preventable mortality. This is related to a lack of equitable access to appropriate care. The Step Together guidance and toolkit, developed with patient, clinical, charity and commissioning stakeholders, allows evaluation and benchmarking of essential epilepsy service provision for PwID in eight key domains, at a care system level.

Primary care experiences of adults reporting learning disability: a probability sample survey.

Background: Adults with learning disability face multiple adversities, but evidence on their needs and primary care experiences is limited.

Aim: To compare the characteristics and primary care experiences of adults reporting learning disability with those who did not.

Design And Setting: This was an analysis of the 2022 General Practice Patient Survey, a national probability sample survey conducted in 2022 with people registered with NHS primary care in England.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of psychiatrists in India regarding sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and seizure-related harm.

Sudden unexpected death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is one of the leading causes of death in people with epilepsy (PWE). Awareness and taking adequate preventive measures are pivotal to reducing SUDEP. Nearly 80% of PWE live in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) such as India where for many, epilepsy management is by psychiatrists.

Sublime and extended reality experiences to enhance emotional wellbeing for autistic people: A state of the art review and narrative synthesis.

Background: is a centuries old concept of emergent experience arising from immense and threatening awareness provoked by overwhelming fear and dread when faced with an incomprehensible situation as is common to autistic people. Extended Reality (XR) technologies have been used since the mid-1990s, in regulating emotions, behaviour and supporting social skill development for autistic people.

Aims: To understand utility of XR technologies in creating immersive experiences for autistic people to alleviate anxiety and the relationship to the sublime.

Epilepsy professionals' views on sudden unexpected death in epilepsy counselling: A tale of two countries.

Background And Purpose: Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a leading cause of epilepsy mortality. All international guidance strongly advocates for clinicians working with people with epilepsy (PWE) to discuss SUDEP. Clinician views working with PWE in the UK and Norway on SUDEP counselling are compared.

The relationship between clinical presentation and the nature of care in adults with intellectual disability and epilepsy - national comparative cohort study.

Background: A quarter of People with Intellectual Disabilities (PwID) have epilepsy compared with 1% of the general population. Epilepsy in PwID is a bellwether for premature mortality, multimorbidity and polypharmacy. This group depends on their care provider to give relevant information for management, especially epilepsy.

Identifying co-morbidities and risk in people with epilepsy: The Maltese experience.

Background: People with epilepsy are at increased risk of multiple co-morbidities that may influence risk of adverse outcomes including impact on quality of life and premature mortality. These risk factors include potentially modifiable clinical characteristics associated with sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). For services to tackle risk, the clinical complexity of the target epilepsy population needs to be defined.

Evaluating the impact of a UK recovery college on mental well-being: pre- and post-intervention study.

Background: Recovery colleges provide personalised educational mental health support for people who self-refer. The research evidence supporting them is growing, with key components and the positive experiences of attendees reported. However, the quantitative outcome evidence and impact on economic outcomes is limited.

Laxative use in adults with intellectual disabilities: development of prescribing guidelines.

Background: Constipation is overrepresented in people with intellectual disabilities. Around 40% of people with intellectual disabilities who died prematurely were prescribed laxatives. A quarter of people with intellectual disabilities are said to be on laxatives.

People with Intellectual Disabilities, Dysphagia and Post-Covid Syndrome.

People with Intellectual Disability (ID) were more likely to contract COVID-19 infection and more likely to die from the consequences. However, there is no evidence on the long-term impact of COVID-19 infection in people with ID. Post-Covid Syndrome (PCS) is an established diagnosis that requires specialist clinical support.

Mood disorders in adults with epilepsy: a review of unrecognized facts and common misconceptions.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurologic conditions. Its clinical manifestations are not restricted to seizures but often include cognitive disturbances and psychiatric disorders. Prospective population-based studies have shown that people with epilepsy have an increased risk of developing mood disorders, and people with a primary mood disorder have an increased risk of developing epilepsy.

Pharmacological management of fragile X syndrome: a systematic review and narrative summary of the current evidence.

Introduction: Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited cause of Intellectual Disability. There is a broad phenotype that includes deficits in cognition and behavioral changes, alongside physical characteristics. Phenotype depends upon the level of mutation in the (fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1) gene.

A pragmatic randomized controlled exploratory trial of the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy for psychotic disorder.

Background: People with severe mental illness are often excluded from trials related to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Principal concerns are that they may not tolerate treatment, might risk relapse or that psychotic symptoms may worsen. There is however building evidence of a traumatogenic etiology of psychotic disorder that may benefit therapeutically from EMDR.

Clinical characteristics of people with intellectual disability admitted to hospital with constipation: identifying possible specific high-risk factors.

Background: People with intellectual disabilities (ID) die on an average 20 years earlier to the general population. They have higher rates of multimorbidity and polypharmacy. Around 25% of people with ID report chronic constipation.

The views of psychiatrists on proposed changes to the England and Wales Mental Health Act 1983 legislation for people with intellectual disability: A national study.

Background: The Draft Mental Health Bill proposes removal of both intellectual disability and autism from Section 3 of the Mental Health Act for England and Wales (MHA). This would lead to people with intellectual disability (PwID) and/or autism could not be detained beyond 28 days, in the absence of diagnosed co-occurring mental illness.

Aim: To obtain views of psychiatrists working with PwID in England and Wales regarding the proposed MHA changes.

The potential for medicinal cannabis to help manage challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disability: A perspective review.

Background: Around 2% of the population have intellectual disabilities. Over one-third people with intellectual disabilities (PwID) present with 'challenging behaviour', which nosologically and diagnostically is an abstract concept. Challenging behaviour is influenced by a range of bio-psycho-social factors in a population, which is unable to suitably comprehend and/or communicate concerns.

Risk characteristics of alcohol and/or drug misuse in repeat emergency department attendees for seizures: a case-control study.

Background: There is a bi-directional relationship between seizures and substance misuse, i.e., alcohol and recreational drugs.

Awareness of social care needs in people with epilepsy and intellectual disability.

Background: Nearly a quarter of people with intellectual disability (ID) have epilepsy with large numbers experiencing drug-resistant epilepsy, and premature mortality. To mitigate epilepsy risks the environment and social care needs, particularly in professional care settings, need to be met.

Purpose: To compare professional care groups as regards their subjective confidence and perceived responsibility when managing the need of people with ID and epilepsy.

The psychological and social impact of the digital self-support system 'Brain in Hand' on autistic people: prospective cohort study in England and Wales.

Background: Brain in Hand (BIH) is a UK-based digital self-support system for managing anxiety and social functioning.

Aims: To identify the impact of BIH on the psychological and social functioning of adults with autism.

Method: Adults with diagnosed or suspected DSM-5 (level 1) autism, identified by seven NHS autism services in England and Wales, were recruited for a 12-week prospective mixed-methods cohort study.

Review and update of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for People with Learning Disabilities (HoNOS-LD).

Background: The Health of the Nation Outcomes Scales for people with Learning Disabilities (HoNOS-LD) is an 18-item measure which provides a structured and standardized approach to rating various clinical and psychosocial outcomes and has been in use nationally since 2002.

Aims: To revise and improve the HoNOS-LD's utility in contemporary intellectual disability (ID) services whilst retaining its original objectives and five-point severity ratings.

Method: ID clinicians were invited to complete an online survey, rating each item on the existing measure for being fit for purpose, identifying issues and suggesting improvements based on their experience of using the HoNOS-LD in practice.