Abstract:Background: To describe the characteristics of those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) treated within a forensic intellectual disability hospital and to compare them with those without ASD.Method: Service evaluation of a cohort of 138 patients treated over a 6 year period.Results: Of the 138, 42 had an ASD. Personality disorders and harmful use or dependence on drugs were significantly lower in the ASD group. The ASD group was less likely to be subject to criminal sections or restriction orders. Self-harm was significantly higher in the ASD group. There were no differences in the length of stay and direction of care pathway.Conclusions: Although the ASD and non-ASD groups differ on clinical and forensic characteristics, their treatment outcomes appear similar. This suggests that the diagnostic category of ASD alone may be inadequate in predicting the treatment outcome. There is a case to identify distinct typologies within the ASD group. Method: Service evaluation of a cohort of 138 patients treated over a 6 year period. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual DisabilitiesResults: Of the 138, 42 had an ASD. Personality disorders and harmful use or dependence on drugs were significantly lower in the ASD group. The ASD group was less likely to be subject to criminal sections or restriction orders. Self-harm was significantly higher in the ASD group. There were no differences in the length of stay and direction of care pathway. Conclusions:Although the ASD and non-ASD groups differ on clinical and forensic characteristics, their treatment outcomes appear similar. This suggests that the diagnostic category of ASD alone may be inadequate in predicting the treatment outcome. There is a case to identify distinct typologies within the ASD group.

We found evidence of prevalent potential 'off-label' use for psychotropic medication, which may be due to PBs. We also found evidence of potential diagnostic-overshadowing, where symptoms of psychiatric co-morbidity may have been attributed to PBs. Our findings provide renewed importance, across borders and health systems, for clinicians to consider a holistic approach to treating PBs, and attempting to best understand the precipitants and predisposing factors before psychotropic prescribing.

The synthesis of diethyl-8-quinolinyloxymethylphosphonate 1 and 8-quinolinyloxymethylphosphonic acid hemihydroiodide 2 is reported along with their spectroscopic and analytical characteristics (NMR, infrared, mass spectra, and elemental analysis). The single-crystal X-ray structure of 2 is described. Solutions of the disodium phosphonate 3, from 2 and sodium hydroxide, were prepared and used in situ. The coordination complex between 1 and zinc chloride 4 is described according to its single-crystal X-ray structure. The spectrophotometric features (absorption and emission) of 1, 2, 3, and 4 are reported along with the fluorescence response and affinity of 3 to some metal cations. The origin of the fluorescence from compounds 1 and 4 is investigated using density functional theory and the oscillator strength for each transition is computed. Two deactivation pathways, one of which is only weakly emissive, are identified in 4. In contrast to 4, which is only moderately more emissive than 1 a strong zinc-activated fluorescence response is observed from aqueous solutions of 3.

PurposeThis paper aims to describe how a patient centred recovery approach was implemented in a secure learning disabilities service.Design/methodology/approachThere are no specific tools for measuring recovery in a secure learning disabilities service. The Recovery Star; a measure of individual recovery was adopted for use among the patients. Staff underwent training on the use of the Recovery Star tool after which a multidisciplinary steering group made some modifications to the tool. Training was cascaded to staff throughout the service and use of the Recovery Star tool was embedded in the care programme approach process.FindingsIt was found that implementing a recovery approach with the Recovery Star tool was a beneficial process for the service but that services will require a whole systems approach to implementing recovery. Key workers working with patients thought that the structure of the Recovery Star tool opened up avenues for discussing topics covered in the domains of the Recovery Star tool which may otherwise have not been discussed as fully.Practical implicationsThe availability of a tool, integrated into existing service processes, e.g. care programme approach and accompanied by a systems approach, equips patients and staff for articulating and measuring the recovery journey.Originality/valueThe paper shows that the Recovery Star tool, embedded in a care programme approach process, equips patients and staff for measuring the recovery journey.