The OTs sort of Book Review
Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders in Developmental Disabilities and Mental Retardation, edited by Nick Bouras
The problems faced by those with developmental disabilities are often heightened by psychiatric or behavioural disorders. These quality of life issues have come to increasing attention over recent years of improved community and social integration. Therefore the book highlights the principles for good clinical practice in assessment, management, and services, providing hands-on practical advice for a wide range of mental health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, therapists, social workers, and service providers.
The book is divided into five sections covering classification, diagnosis, treatment, service and specific conditions. The first section covers assessment and classification. The next section reviews specific conditions and includes chapters on autism, behavioural phenotypes, self-injurious behaviour and dementia. The next section on diagnosis and psychopathology takes a developmental approach. In the final section on services, the chapter on measuring the outcome of services discusses this complex issue in a simple and easy-to-understand way.
It is encouraging to see the subjects of staff stress, training and the ongoing education of the multidisciplinary team addressed in this book. Services wanting to become high-quality providers in this field are very dependent on the skills and enthusiasm of the professionals and care staff, because of the vulnerability of people with developmental disabilities.
The book was an interesting and eye-opening read especially as a student still developing skill within the field and it is particularly useful as I'm currently undertaking my psychosocial fieldwork.