Diagnosis and Treatment Considerations With Comorbid Developmentally Disabled Populations

Creator(s)

Carole G. Fuller, Hawkins County Public Schools
David A. Sabatino, East Tennessee State University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1998

Description

Differential diagnosis in client populations presenting with complexities of developmental disabilities has become a time honored psychodiagnostic practice. Standard practice has been to ignore comorbidity in client groups where mental disorders and retardation coexist. In persons with mental retardation, differential diagnosis prioritizes the many presenting symptoms, identifying a single causation. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, mood disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, stereotypic movement disorders, and mental disorders due to a general medical condition often coexist with mental retardation. As mentally retarded populations move from institutional to community residency, comorbidity appears more prevalent, often becoming a client management issue. Dual diagnosis is important in considering treatment plans, obtaining access and funding for services, interdisciplinary communication, and generating epidemiological data.

Citation Information

Fuller, Carole G.; and Sabatino, David A.. 1998. Diagnosis and Treatment Considerations With Comorbid Developmentally Disabled Populations. Journal of Clinical Psychology. Vol.54(1). 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-4679(199801)54:1<1::AID-JCLP1>3.0.CO;2-X PMID: 9476703 ISSN: 0021-9762