1st Edition

Care of the Adult with Intellectual Disability in Primary Care

By Peter Lindsay Copyright 2011

    Care of adults with intellectual disability in the UK has relocated from long-stay hospitals to small community homes and family placements. This has led to GPs' increasing responsibility for the care of a group with particularly high rates of morbidity and mortality. This key book is the first in the UK to describe and advise on the medical care of adults with intellectual disability in primary care and in the community. It is a practical handbook, written by clinicians with regular involvement in the care of adults with intellectual disability, and is based on current practice and international evidence bases. Numerous conditions - from autism spectrum disorders to Williams syndrome - are explored, the complex problems they can present examined, and the need to offer annual health checks and implement practices to comply with QOF requirements addressed. A glossary and a list of useful electronic resources is also included. The book's content reflects the RCGP curriculum, and the Curriculum Guardian has been responsible for much of the editing. It will be informative reading for GPs, practice nurses, GP registrars, medical students, district nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, as well as for the families and friends of adults with intellectual disability.

    Overview of intellectual disability care. Definitions, epidemiology and health issues. Care and the Carers and Families. Common presentations. How to communicate with your patient. Methods of communication. Assessment of intellectual disability. Routine care. The adolescent with intellectual disability. Adult health care. Aged care. Preventive health care and health promotion. Annual Health Checks. Challenging behavior. Medication and challenging behavior. Assessment of psychiatric disorders. Management of psychiatric disorders. Epilepsy. Nutritional disorders. Dysphagia. Oral health. Sexuality. Women’s health. Men’s health. Legal issues — The Mental Capacity Act. Specific disorders associated with intellectual disability. Down syndrome. Cerebral palsy. Autism spectrum conditions. Fragile X syndrome. Prader-Willi syndrome. Tuberous sclerosis. Rett syndrome. Williams syndrome. Angelman syndrome. Noonan syndrome. Neurofibromatosis type 1. Fetal alcohol syndrome. Appendices. Support Groups and Associations for specific syndromes. Useful websites. Glossary.

    Biography

    Peter Lindsay GP, The Thakur Practice, Leeds and RCGP Curriculum Guardian for Intellectual Disability