A Case Series of Children with Developmental Disabilities with Suicidality

Abstract

Introduction: Children with developmental disorders are more prone for mental disorders and suicidality. Suicidality often indicates a psychiatric emergency and it is crucial to have an understanding for more effective and efficient inter-vention. However there is scant literature on the prevalence, risk factors and other characteristics associated with sui-cidality in this population all over the world and especially in India. Content: In this article we highlight the factors related to suicidality in 3 children with developmental disabilities who were admitted to a tertiary care inpatient psychi-atric facility (NIMHANS). Discussion; All three children had multiple psychiatric diagnoses and greater psychosocial adversities. Conclusion: there is a need for reliable screening instruments and routine screening and clinician awareness on this aspect of caring for children with DD.