A guide to intellectual disability psychiatry assessments in the community

Psychiatric assessment in the community is an important part of both the initial assessment process and delivery of follow-up care in adult intellectual disability services in the UK. This article examines how such assessments can be carried out safely and explores the clinical skills required to perform them effectively. Use of the psychiatric interview and mental state examination to elicit information is discussed. Communication difficulties experienced by people with intellectual disabilities and strategies that may be employed to address these in the assessment process are also explored. The article is directed at psychiatrists, in particular specialty trainees, and other healthcare professionals who work with intellectually disabled people.