Module 8: Understanding, Preventing, and De-escalating Behavioral and Mental Health Concerns in Patients with IDD

Introduction to the Module

You will be introduced to a variety of causes behind mental health symptoms in persons with IDD and how the acute care setting increases the potential for distress for this population. You also will learn to implement nursing interventions to intervene in behavioral and mental health concerns for hospitalized patients with IDD

Introduction of the Subject Matter Experts: 

Dr. Holly Brown DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC, PMHCS

Dr. Holly Brown is an Associate Professor at the Wegmans School of Nursing, at St. John Fisher University and Associate Director of the Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing. Her academic work focuses on achieving health equity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through nursing education.  She is the Senior Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Hillside Children’s Center (Rochester, NY) caring for youth diagnosed with IDD and co-occurring psychiatric conditions.

Dr. Shirley McMillan PhD, RN, CDDN

Dr. Shirley McMillan, a Clinical Nurse Specialist in mental health has spent her career supporting adults with IDD and comorbid behavioral and mental health conditions.  Dr. McMillan recently retired from Surrey Place, a community agency providing integrated primary care to populations with IDD in Toronto, Canada. 

Dr. Deborah Napolitano, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA

Dr. Napolitano (Debbi) is an Associate Professor in the Applied Behavior Analysis Department at Daemen University and Adjunct Faculty at the Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing at St. John Fisher University. She received her Ph.D. in Developmental and Child Psychology and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She also has a long history of working with families and staff supporting children with IDD and as an expert in the areas of assessment and treatment for challenging behavior, drug and behavior interactions, and interprofessional collaboration.

What you will learn:   

1. Describe the causes of behavioral and mental health concerns in hospitalized patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
2. Discuss strategies for assessment of behavioral and mental health concerns in hospitalized patients with IDD
3. Identify strategies for nursing intervention for behavioral and mental health concerns in hospitalized patients with IDD
4. Describe the role of the nurse in the assessment of physical health to rule in or out medical concerns that may explain behavioral challenges for hospitalized individuals with IDD
5. Describe interprofessional team contributions, specifically those with expertise in the assessment and management of challenging behaviors, for effective treatment planning for the prevention of and intervention for behavioral and mental health concerns
6. Describe non-pharmacological strategies for prevention and de-escalation of behavioral symptoms occurring in hospitalized individuals with IDD
7. Describe pharmacological strategies for prevention and de-escalation of behavioral symptoms occurring in hospitalized individuals with IDD