Behavioural disorder in people with an intellectual disability and epilepsy: a report of the Intellectual Disability Task Force of the Neuropsychiatric Commission of ILAE

The management and needs of people with intellectual disability (ID) and epilepsy are well evidenced; less so, the comorbidity of behavioural disorder in this population. ‘Behavioural disorder’ is defined as behaviours that are difficult or disruptive, including stereotypes, difficult or disruptive behaviour, aggressive behaviour toward other people, behaviours that lead to injury to self or others, and destruction of property. These have an important link to emotional disturbance. This report, produced by the Intellectual Disability Task Force of the Neuropsychiatric Commission of the ILAE, aims to provide a brief review of some key areas of concern regarding behavioural disorder among this population, and proposes a range of research and clinical practice recommendations generated by Task Force members. The areas covered in this report were identified by experts in the field as being of specific relevance to the broad epilepsy community when considering behavioural disorder in persons with epilepsy and ID; they are not intended to be exhaustive. The practice recommendations are based on the authors’ review of the limited research in this field combined with their experience supporting this population. These points are not graded but can be seen as expert opinion guiding future research and clinical practice