Key insights from a rapid review of nondental procedural sedation clinical practice guidelines for adults with intellectual and developmental disability.

Abstract

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience significantly higher rates of physical and mental health conditions compared to the general population. This group also faces substantial barriers to accessing healthcare, often leading to unmet health needs and poor health outcomes. For many people with IDD, routine clinical procedures, such as blood tests or immunizations, can be distressing. This distress may stem from past trauma, complex communication needs, insufficient adjustments for sensory sensitivities, needle phobia, or the lack of accessible information about medical procedures. As a result, it is not uncommon for clinicians to delay or abandon medical interventions for this population, placing individuals at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases and delays in diagnosing or managing health conditions.