A descriptive investigation of dysphagia in adults with intellectual disabilities.
BACKGROUND
Dysphagia has rarely been investigated in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) despite being a serious condition affecting health and quality of life.


METHODS
This study collected information about 101 adults with ID, living in community settings, referred for an assessment of their eating and drinking. Ninety-nine people were classified as having dysphagia from clinical and videofluoroscopic assessments. This information was used to give an indication of the prevalence of dysphagia in adults with ID and identify the co-occurrence of physiological and anatomical indicators and associated negative health conditions.


RESULTS
Details of the characteristics and conditions associated with dysphagia are provided. These include cerebral palsy, increased physical disability and cognitive impairment. A tentative indication of the current prevalence of dysphagia was found (8.15%).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings indicate that dysphagia is a significant issue for people with ID warranting further investigation. Practice implications detailed include increasing awareness of 'at risk' groups, changes in dysphagia with ageing, medication use and illness, and how findings can inform assessment and training.
Chadwick
D D
DD
Department of Psychology and Social Change, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK. d.d.chadwick@mmu.ac.uk
Jolliffe
J
J