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Intellectual Disabilities Pathway

Referral Criteria

The CAMHS-ID pathway provides a service to children who have a significant intellectual disability (moderate/severe/profound) and additional complex behavioural or mental health need (typically this is a child in a special school). The ID team is part of CAMHS and as such follows the same referral guidelines. We aim to work in partnership with families and other agencies involved with the child or young person, carrying out assessments and interventions with individuals, families or groups, or offering consultation to agencies. Children with mild ID are supported within mainstream CAMHS. The CAMHS-ID service does not routinely assess I.Q scores for children or offer a diagnostic service for suspected intellectual disability. Cognitive attainment levels are mostly obtained through school reports or Educational Psychology assessments.

We accept referrals to the service from children and young people who:

  • Are between 5 and 18 years of age (transition to adult services begin at 17½  years old)
  • Are registered with a local GP
  • Have a significant intellectual disability
  • Display severe challenging behaviour, or mental health problems that require the input of a specialist provision

Exclusion Criteria

Requests for service will not be accepted for children and young people with:

  • Mild Intellectual Disability
  • Higher functioning Autistic Spectrum Disorders (i.e. average or above average intelligence),
  • Acquired head or brain injury
  • Issues that are school based only, where the family does not require support – these should be supported by educational services such as Educational Psychology and Behaviour Support services

Factors which may indicate no significant Intellectual Disability

  • Successfully attend mainstream education without support.
  • Gained qualifications (GCSE, A’ levels).
  • Able to complete complex tasks such as manage personal finances, social life and use public transport unaided.
  • Have a recorded IQ above 55.

Factors which may indicate a moderate/severe/profound Intellectual Disability

  • Record of delayed development/difficulties with social functioning and daily living.
  • Requires significant assistance to provide for own survival (eating and drinking, personal care, stay warm and clothed) and/or with social/community adaption (e.g. Social problem solving/reasoning).
  • Presence of all three criteria for ID i.e.
    • Impairment of intellectual functioning/social adaptive functioning and age of onset.
    • A range of information presenting a picture of difficulties in several areas of function, not explainable by another diagnosis.
    • Contact with specialist Intellectual Disability Service.

NB – The presence of specific intellectual disorders (impairment in reading, impairment in written expression, and impairment in mathematics), Cerebral Palsy, Autism or ADHD, or brain injury alone does not indicate the person has an intellectual disability.

Before a referral please consider the questions identified in the questionnaire below.

ID Referral criteria 2019

If you would like to make a referral to ID CAMHS, please complete the main CAMHS referral form AND the following screening tool. Please also send copies of any relevant reports, such as those from Educational Psychology, Learning Support Services, or Education Health Care Plans as these will help us to process the referral.

The following information is essential for us to process the referral

  • Reason for this referral (please provide details of current circumstances and what the referrer is requesting from the CAMHS Intellectual Disability Service)
  • If not specified earlier, what leads you to believe they have a MODERATE/ SEVERE/ PROFOUND intellectual disability? Please see Appendix 1 for more guidance.
  • Any information you would like to provide that is not covered elsewhere?
  • If there is supporting documentation, please attach (i.e. Psychology Report, Assessment of Need if referring from another Local Authority)
  • What specific services do we provide?

What specific services do we provide

Interventions may be with a child or young person on their own, or with their family or with a group. They might include:

  • Assessment of skills, strengths and specific difficulties
  • Neuro-developmental assessments: (Area Specific)Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC)
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Psychiatric assessment and medication
  • Behaviour management advice & interventions
  • Counselling for young people and parents
  • Psycho-education
  • Art Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Theraplay
  • Sensory profiling
  • Training in Intellectual disabilities and mental health/ developmental problems
  • Group work
  • Family work
  • We also offer consultation and training to other services and families, including those working with pre-school children, and where appropriate we will work jointly with referrer and other services to offer the best package of care.