Psychopharmacology in children with intellectual disability

Abstract

Children and adolescents with intellectual disability have high rates of psychiatric morbidity, the most common presentation being behavioural difficulties, especially in the context of autism. This clinical review describes the applicability of the full range of current psychopharmacological agents to the mental health difficulties commonly encountered in clinical practice in this field, with an emphasis on informing the choice of an initial 'best fit' single agent for the various clusters of symptoms and signs presented by individual patients. It is emphasised that the evidence base for most practice parameters in this area is extremely modest and that a high level of caution is recommended when applying this information in everyday practice. The article also discusses some of the specific difficulties and challenges encountered within the field and makes some practical suggestions for good practice.