ABSTRACTBackgroundThe diagnosis of an intellectual disability is suggested to have particularly stigmatising connotations, particularly within the criminal justice system (CJS). This paper aims to synthesise qualitative studies investigating the attitudes of CJS professionals to people with intellectual disabilities (PWID), specifically offenders with intellectual disabilities, and to appraise their methodological quality.MethodsA systematic search was conducted using PsychINFO, Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL Complete and EThOS databases. Articles were screened for inclusion by title, abstract and full text to ensure predefined inclusion criteria were met. Individual study quality was rated using the 10‐item Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist, with the addition of an eleventh item to capture included studies' theoretical underpinnings and optimise the value of the quality appraisal. Thematic synthesis was then used to explore and synthesise the findings of the included studies.ResultsTen papers were included in the review, spanning 766 participants. Studies included utilised mixed methods surveys (n = 3), qualitative surveys (n = 1), semistructured interviews (n = 3), semistructured focus groups (n = 1), unstructured interviews (n = 1) and secondary analysis of previously collected research data (n = 1). Methodological quality was broadly of a high standard; however, all included papers failed to reflect on the relationship between the researchers and participants. Five themes were identified: conflating diagnoses, perceptions of PWID as offenders, procedural issues affecting PWID, development and maintenance of perceptions, and impact of training.ConclusionsThis review highlights pervasive negative perceptions of offenders with intellectual disabilities within CJS staff groups. Clinician‐ and system‐level factors are considered in the development and maintenance of such attitudes and suggestions made for improving CJS staff perceptions and knowledge of offenders with intellectual disabilities.

ABSTRACTBackgroundTo help redress the global bias of intellectual disability research drawing on high‐income countries, previous studies have used data from UNICEF's Early Child Development Index (ECDI) to create an indicator of Significant Cognitive Delay (SCD) in young children. Recently, UNICEF have replaced the ECDI with an updated 20‐item version; the ECDI2030. Our aim was to investigate the utility of using ECDI2030 data to provide a more robust measure of SCD.MethodWe conducted secondary analysis of ECDI2030 data on 92 506 2–4‐year‐old children from 23 nationally representative surveys undertaken primarily in the world's poorer countries.ResultsThe 11 learning items of the ECDI2030 showed good internal consistency overall and in each of the participating countries. Using age‐specific cut‐points for SCD generated from 20 013 children in nine countries with high Human Development Index (HDI) scores produced country‐level estimates of the prevalence of SCD that ranged from 1.1% to 34.1%. These prevalence estimates showed a strong relationship with both country HDI score and national wealth. Increased within country risk of SCD was independently associated with male gender, lower relative household wealth, lower level of maternal education and non‐enrolment in early childhood educational programmes. Comparison with SCD based on the older ECDI indicated that the two versions correlated very highly, although the newer version produced slightly higher prevalence estimates than the previous version.ConclusionThe ECDI2030 is being used in Round 7 of UNICEF's Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys which are currently underway in 46 countries and in a growing number of USAID funded Demographic Health Surveys. Individual‐level data from surveys are freely available to researchers. As data from these surveys begin to be released, they will provide a highly cost‐efficient way to redress the current bias in intellectual and developmental disabilities research toward high‐income countries and to understand the of children at risk of intellectual disability or global developmental delay in the world's poorer countries.

ABSTRACTBackgroundIt is important to hear the perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities on dementia. This review aimed to explore views and experiences of dementia from the perspective of people with intellectual disabilities and methodologies enabling people with intellectual disabilities and dementia to participate in qualitative research.MethodsStudies were identified in database searches, along with reference and citation searches. Qualitative data were reviewed using thematic synthesis and risk of bias assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (2018). Methodologies used to include participants with intellectual disabilities and dementia were reviewed.ResultsFindings from 11 studies, with a total of 47 participants, highlighted loss of ability, relationships and connection associated with dementia, counteracted by support from others, and maintenance of a sense of self through choice, relational connection and competence. A range of methodologies were identified to enable participants with intellectual disabilities and dementia to participate in research.ConclusionsThis review highlights emerging, albeit demographically limited, qualitative research in this field. It suggests ways to build on this including methodologies to facilitate inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and dementia in further research.

No abstract is available for this article.

No abstract is available for this article.

BackgroundCollaboration with healthcare professionals is crucial in arranging necessary lifelong support for people with intellectual disabilities. However, family members often face challenges when collaborating with healthcare professionals. Family members of people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities often encounter many professionals due to medical needs and the severity of their disability. Therefore, providing a comprehensive overview of existing literature on the needs and experiences of family members of relatives with severe or profound intellectual disabilities when collaborating with healthcare professionals is needed to provide insight into how to stimulate and support collaboration.MethodThe review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Seven databases were systematically searched and a thematic analysis was conducted on 23 studies.ResultsFive overarching themes were identified: (1) need for a balanced view of their relative; (2) need for recognition and compassion; (3) healthcare professionals facilitating close and active involvement; (4) desired qualities of healthcare professionals and (5) conditions for successful interaction between family members and healthcare professionals.ConclusionsThe results indicated distinct needs that family members had for themselves and their relatives, as well as desired qualities (e.g. trustworthiness) and supporting factors (e.g. information). Furthermore, the review highlighted persisting needs, such as the need for information and empathy, as well as emerging needs, such as the desire to be recognised as experts and to develop personal bonds with healthcare professionals. These insights can inform future research by identifying areas that require deeper exploration.

Expenditure on residential placements for people with intellectual disability (ID) in Ireland is considerable and expected to increase. Despite this, there is limited evidence on the factors driving variation in privately provided 'out-of-area' residential placement costs, including across Community Health Organisations (CHOs)/regions. This is important to help inform the delivery of services at best value. We analyse unit cost data from 2019 for a sample of 278 high-cost publicly funded privately provided out-of-area residential placements for people with ID in Ireland. We undertake univariate analysis of the relationship between costs and a wide range of variables using t-tests and one-way analysis of variance. We employ multivariable regression analysis to examine how raw differentials in unit costs across regions can be accounted for by individual-level characteristics. We estimate average unit costs of €264170 per annum in our sample. The univariate analysis shows considerable variation in costs across a range of personal, disability, psychiatry/psychological, forensic issues, behaviour and supports and plans related variables. We also find wide variation in average unit costs across CHOs/regions (F=4.58, P<0.001), ranging from €213380 to €331880. The multivariable analysis shows that regional differences remain even after accounting for a wide range of individual characteristics that influence costs. Our analysis shows that while the majority of differences in costs across regions can be explained, there is potential for cost savings in the provision of high-cost publicly funded out-of-area residential placements in Ireland. Overall this can help to develop and implement a more sustainable disability residential funding model in a context of rising demand for services. It also has potential implications for the approach to procurement of services.