The adaptive care program: Services for patients with co-occurring neurodevelopmental conditions

Max (name changed to protect anonymity), a 23-year-old man with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and intermittent explosive disorder, was admitted to an adult inpatient psychiatric unit due to increased physical aggression and emotional outbursts. This was Max’s fourth admission to the unit within 4 months. Max’s family concluded they could not safely care for him at home and requested a long-term residential placement for his discharge. Due to changes in discharge plans and difficulty finding a long-term placement, Max lived on the psychiatric unit for 9 months, an unusually long period of time for inpatient psychiatric care.