Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults with intellectual disability

The field of neurodevelopmental disorders is an exciting one in clinical practice. People
with intellectual disability are more likely to have associated neurodevelopmental disorders
such as autism and attention hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The current practice of
diagnosis and management of ADHD in people with intellectual disability is based
on findings from assessment and treatments in the general population. People with
intellectual disability often have additional comorbid disorders that may conceal or
exacerbate the signs of ADHD and, for this reason, treatments applicable in the general
population may not always be appropriate in treating a person with intellectual disability.
To fill this gap in knowledge and practice, this College Report on ADHD in adults with
intellectual disability is very welcome and timely when so much more is understood
about ADHD in general. The challenge for clinicians in supporting people with intellectual
disability and ADHD is to deliver the best care based on good evidence on the
effectiveness of assessment processes and treatments. This report brings together
the current evidence as applied in people with intellectual disabilities and it benefits
from the expertise and knowledge of clinicians, built over years of experience working
with people with intellectual disabilities. The evidence base will grow from more original
research on ADHD in intellectual disability to understand how the disorder manifests
in people with intellectual disability. The report will prove to be a valuable resource to
clinicians and services in applying evidence to support and treat ADHD in people with
intellectual disability.