Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to describe and discuss assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults with intellectual disabilities. Existing research in this area encompasses case studies, and includes, for the most part, persons with mild intellectual disabilities. Design/methodology/approach -The aim of this study is to investigate symptom presentation and subsequent identification of PTSD in persons with more severe intellectual disabilities; i.e. persons with moderate or severe intellectual disabilities. Five patients in a specialised psychiatric inpatient unit for patients with intellectual disabilities were included. Information about the patients was collected through case files and interviews with key informants: family, milieu therapists, and caregivers in community settings, and observations through inpatient admission. The authors of this paper followed a training programme for trauma therapists in addition to the inpatient treatment of the five patients. The five patients all met criteria for PTSD according to the Diagnostic Manual -Intellectual Disability. Findings -Previously, it was not suspected that the five patients suffered from PTSD, although they had experienced terrifying incidents. All patients displayed severe changes in behaviour, which may have overshadowed symptoms of PTSD. PTSD in persons with more severe intellectual disabilities may be interpreted as challenging behaviour, or other psychiatric disorders such as psychosis.Research limitations/implications -The limitation of the study is the small number of participants. Practical implications -Practical implication is linked to clinical practice related to identification of PTSD in persons with intellectual disabilities. Originality/value -The paper may encourage more research into how PTSD can be identified in persons with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities. The case reports may help clinicians to look for traumatic experiences in persons with intellectual disabilities who have experienced terrifying incidents.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to describe and discuss interventions of stabilisation of emotions and behaviour in adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This topic is understudied in persons with intellectual disability. Design/methodology/approach -The aim of this study was to investigate interventions of stabilisation in persons with more severe intellectual disability; i.e. persons with moderate or severe intellectual disabilities. Five patients in a specialised psychiatric inpatient unit for patients with intellectual disabilities were included. Information about treatment of the patients was collected through case files, observations, and interviews. The authors of this paper followed a training programme for trauma therapists in addition to the inpatient treatment of the five patients. Findings -Six main areas of stabilisation of emotions and behaviour were identified: validation, anxiety relief, treatment of depressed mood, increased mastering of daily activities, protection against anxiety triggers, and facilitated staff communication. Protection from anxiety triggers seems to be a core element of milieu therapy interventions. Interventions for neurotypical PTSD patients, such as exposure therapy may be contraindicated for patients with more severe intellectual disabilities. Originality/value -Research on interventions of stabilisation towards adults with more severe intellectual disabilities is still in its infancy. The case reports may help milieu therapists to facilitate interventions towards patients with moderate or severe intellectual disabilities.

About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -The UKU side effect rating scale for adults with intellectual disabilities (UKU-SERS-ID) was developed to detect side effects among patients with intellectual disabilities (ID). The purpose of this paper is to examine the reliability and face validity of the UKU-SERS-ID. Design/methodology/approach -UKU-SERS-ID comprises 35 items. In total, 22 patients with ID were included from two specialized services for adults with ID and comorbid mental illness. All patients were rated on three different occasions by three clinicians; two nurses and one medical doctor. Reliability was estimated with Cohen's κ. A focus group discussed the face validity of the items comprising the UKU-SERS-ID. Findings -Respectively ten (nurse-nurse scores) and eight (nurse-doctor scores) items were considered difficult to score due to low prevalence of the symptoms. For the other items the reliability was acceptable. Through discussion in a focus group, with the reliability scores in mind, only one of the items of the UKU-SERS-ID was discarded. Practical implications -The authors have developed a feasible side effect instrument for clinical practice. It is easy to score and relevant regarding important side effects. Originality/value -The UKU-SERS-ID seems to be a feasible tool. Further investigations are mandatory in order to gain knowledge about distribution and phenomenology of side effects from psychotropic medication for individuals with ID.

Purpose -Patients with intellectual disabilities (ID) and additional psychiatric disorders are often treated with psychotropic medication. However, examinations of side effects among these patients are scarce. The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the most frequently used side effect scale, UKU Side Effect Rating Scale (UKU-SERS), in this patient population. Design/methodology/approach -The aim of the present study is to explore whether the UKU-SERS is feasible for patients with ID. The UKU-SERS consists originally of 48 items, measuring side effects of psychotropic medication. In the study, UKU-SERS was used to score a group of 13 adults with ID admitted to a specialised inpatient psychiatric unit. First, an expert panel of seven psychiatrists and five psychiatric nurses independently evaluated the UKU-SERS and decided which items they considered possible to score after observation alone. Second, a total of 26 staff members, based on observation, scored the 13 patients on the ward. These results were used as the basis for recommending items from UKU-SERS to be used. Items scored differently by the two groups were examined more thoroughly. Findings -The expert panel and the ward staff agreed on 24 of the original 48 UKU-SERS items. The other 24 items were examined more thoroughly based on clinical meaningfulness. Consequently, 11 more items were included despite disagreement in the scorer groups. As expected, items that are based on observations seem more feasible than items based on the patients' subjective experiences. Originality/value -The revised checklist comprises 35 items and seems applicable for further research and for use in clinical settings for this patient population. It is possible to observe important side effects using the UKU Side Effect Scale, but adjustment of the scale is desirable to make it more appropriate for the specific purpose and target group.

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