Poverty worsens mental health for children with intellectual disabilities
A UCL-led study found that children with intellectual developmental disabilities from more disadvantaged backgrounds experience more emotional and behavioral difficulties and are more likely to have mental health conditions. The research examined 2,778 young people aged 4 to 25 across the UK who had IDD linked to genetic conditions. The authors call for better access to mental health and social care support to reduce these inequalities.
The findings may draw attention to children with intellectual developmental disabilities and their families, especially those facing socioeconomic disadvantage. If mental health and social care support remains harder to access, these young people could experience ongoing emotional and behavioral difficulties, affecting schooling, family life, and transitions to adulthood. Clinicians, educators, and service planners may use the results to consider family circumstances alongside disability when assessing needs. Improved access to appropriate support could help lessen disparities, though the study alone cannot prove that changes in policy or services would produce specific outcomes. Count: The1 findings2 may3 draw4 attention5 to6 children7 with8 intellectual9 developmental10 disabilities11 and12 their13 families14, especially15 those16 facing17 socioeconomic18 disadvantage19. If20 mental21 health22 and23 social24 care25 support26 remains27 harder28 to29 access30, these31 young32 people33