Illness in people with intellectual disabilities

This week a report published report by the Joint Committee on Human Rights highlights the widespread denial of fundamental human rights to people with intellectual disabilities by mainstream public services.1 One reason why people with intellectual disabilities receive suboptimal care is diagnostic overshadowing, whereby a presenting symptom of mental illness or physical illness is incorrectly attributed to the person’s intellectual disability.2 Although people with intellectual disability have a higher prevalence of mental illness than people with a normal IQ,3 medical professionals are less likely to diagnose psychiatric problems in this group.2 People with intellectual disability are also more likely to have chronic disorders such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and genetic syndromes.4 5 However, their health needs are often unmet.5

Two recent reports by the Disability Rights Commission and MENCAP have highlighted the importance of diagnostic overshadowing in people with intellectual disability in England and Wales.6 7 They highlight the widespread inequalities encountered by people with …