Prevalence of Autism and Intellectual Disability Among Inpatients in Paediatric Hospitals

Abstract

Children and young people (CYP) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) experience higher rates of physical and mental health comorbidity, alongside well-documented barriers to health care access. The management of CYP with ASD/ID in a healthcare setting can be challenging. Communication can be limited; clinical examination and investigations can cause distress to the CYP and their caregivers. Death from all causes is higher for people with ASD/ID, and as many as one in three deaths may be preventable if the right healthcare is in place...