The hospitalized person with developmental disabilities can be vulnerable to exploitation by higher functioning psychiatric patients and must be closely supervised by hospital personnel. Hospital staff often have limited experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, and in some cases have requested that direct service providers remain at the hospital to care for the person. While such extra staffing may enhance care, it often reduces support for others living in the individual's home. The system is usually organized to serve either the individuals with mental illness who have average intellectual abilities, or alternatively, individuals with intellectual disabilities who are well adjusted and do not evidence an emotional or psychological disturbance. Because of the concurrent mental health disorders often observed in this population, crisis services are often needed for individuals who range in age from childhood to those in advanced years of adulthood.
Psychotropic medication can be a beneficial adjunct to positive behavioral intervention.
In the past 10 years, effective medications, specifically the atypical antipsychotics and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, have become available. For individuals with psychosis, depression, or other mental health disorders, the use of psychotropic medications in combination with positive behavior intervention and support procedures has been effective in the prevention of crisis occurrences. However, monitoring of the appropriateness and effectiveness of these and other medications on an ongoing basis must be part of any intervention using psychotropic medications. Supervision and Structure. In addition to the use of medication, vigilant supervision by care providers is necessary to ensure that individuals with challenging behaviors do not place themselves or others at risk.