‘Little evidence’ anti-psychotics help treatment of challenging behaviour

POWERFUL anti-psychotic drugs continue to be the dominant model of intervention in the treatment of adults with intellectual disability, though there is little research evidence to support the practice, an expert in the area has warned.

Dr Ian Grey, who was involved in carrying out some of the only research on the topic in Ireland, said there is little research evidence to support the use of such medication in the treatment of challenging behaviour and that evidence is “inconclusive at best”.

While multi-disciplinary teams are frequently proposed for the treatment of challenging behaviours, few teams operate with a joined-up coherent strategy.