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The classification of problem behaviour in Diagnostic Criteria for Psychiatric Disorders for Use with Adults with Learning Disabilities/Mental Retardation (DC‐LD)
Author(s) -
O'Brien Gregory
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of intellectual disability research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1365-2788
pISSN - 0964-2633
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2788.47.s1.39.x
Subject(s) - learning disability , psychology , psychiatry , inclusion (mineral) , intellectual disability , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , social psychology
Background Problem behaviour is common among adults with learning disabilities, often to an extent that it impacts upon the functioning and social inclusion of the individual, and of the individual's family and immediate social network. Methods/Results However, most approaches to the classification and diagnosis of psychiatric disorder among people with learning disability do not deal with problem behaviour as a diagnosis. The recent innovation of the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychiatric Disorders for Use with Adults with Learning Disabilities/Mental Retardation (DC‐LD) includes diagnostic criteria for problem behaviour. The background and the thinking behind these criteria are reviewed. Conclusions It is proposed that the adoption of such criteria offers the possibility of improved services for the individuals concerned, with resultant improvements in their adaptation and social inclusion.