Introduction: How to Use the Guidelines
Andrea Caoili, MSW, LCSW, EdD, Chief Editor
Background
Despite advances in mental health care, many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) face significant barriers in accessing integrated, evidence-based mental health treatment. Traditional guidelines often lack relevance for people with IDD and mental health conditions, neglecting the intersection of medical and psychiatric care.
The IDD-MH Prescriber Guidelines were developed to address these gaps. Designed for prescribers—including psychiatrists, primary care clinicians, nurse practitioners, and interdisciplinary teams—this guide offers pragmatic, evidence-informed strategies for mental health assessment and treatment tailored to people with IDD/ASD.
Our approach combines input from diverse community partners, including people with lived experience of IDD and mental health conditions, family members, clinicians, and prescribers, with a comprehensive international literature review. This dual lens of lived experience and empirical evidence ensures the content is both practical and grounded in best practices in the literature.
Structure and Navigation
The guide is organized into five sections:
- Health Promotion for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Optimizing the Treatment Environment: Working with Patients and Supporters
- Assessment of Medical and Psychiatric Conditions
- Best Practices in Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment
- Appendix
Each section has a series of chapters and tools, enhanced with real-world vignettes, followed by actionable recommendations, and curated resources to support deeper learning and implementation
Acknowledgements
The editors would like to thank all contributors: persons with IDD and mental health service experiences, family members, and an interdisciplinary group of experts in IDD, including members of the National START Medical Directors (MD) Practice Group. The MD Practice Group is organized and facilitated by the National Center for START Services® at the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability.
Looking ahead, the editors remain committed to building this foundation, with plans for periodic updates that reflect emerging evidence and evolving clinical practice. We welcome and value your ongoing feedback as these guidelines continue to grow and improve.
Disclaimer
This guide is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not replace clinical judgment or individualized medical assessment. Medications discussed herein should be prescribed with caution and are not intended as first-line treatments. The IDD-MH Prescriber Guidelines is not a diagnostic instrument or comprehensive textbook; instead, it offers general guidance grounded in evidence-based prescribing practices.
Use of the content in this guide is at the professional’s discretion. It is essential to evaluate each patient’s unique clinical context and to consult current prescribing information or other primary resources as needed.
