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Professor Regi Alexander

President, Intellectual Disability Forum, Royal Society of Medicine Associate Dean, RCP,

Visiting Professor, University of Hertfordshire

Regi Alexander is a practising Intellectual Disability psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience treating people with learning or developmental disability and mental health problems. He is the current President of the Intellectual Disability Forum, Royal Society of Medicine, and Associate Dean, Royal College of Psychiatrists. He is a Visiting Professor at the University of Hertfordshire and Deputy Editor of British Journal of Psychiatry Open. Finally, he is the Convenor of RADiANT (Research in Developmental Neuropsychiatry) @RADIANTCRG

Dr Arvid Nikolai Kildahl

PhD/Specialist psychologist

Norwegian Advisory Unit for Mental Health in Intellectual Disabilities

Arvid Nikolai Kildahl, PhD/Specialist Psychologist, has worked as a clinical psychologist in specialised mental health services for adults with intellectual disabilities for more than a decade. In 2021, he defended his PhD in psychology at the University of Oslo, Norway, entitled: “Identification of post-traumatic stress disorder in autistic adults with intellectual disabilities: An explorative study of symptom manifestations and challenges in assessment”. He is currently employed 50% as a clinician and 50% as an advisor/researcher at the Oslo University Hospital, and is affiliated with the Norwegian Advisory Unit for Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities. His current research focuses on identification of PTSD in adults with intellectual disabilities, families’ experiences of conflict with care systems, as well as the mental health of people with severe/profound intellectual disabilities.

Trauma-related publications

Kildahl, A. N., & Jørstad, I. (2022). Case report: Post-traumatic stress disorder symptom manifestations in an autistic man with severe intellectual disability following coercion and scalding. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 47(2), 190-194. https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2021.1995930

Kildahl, A. N., Bakken, T. L., Matre, E. A. W., Hellerud, J. M. A., Engebretsen, M. H., & Helverschou, S. B. (2021). Case study: Identification of anxiety and subsequent intervention in an adolescent male with autism, severe intellectual disability and self-injurious behaviour. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 67(5), 327-338. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2020.1850160

Kildahl, A. N., Helverschou, S. B., Bakken, T. L., & Oddli, H. W. (2020). “If we do not look for it, we do not see it”: Clinicians’ experiences and understanding of identifying post-traumatic stress disorder in adults with autism and intellectual disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33(5), 1119-1132. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12734

Kildahl, A. N., Helverschou, S. B., Bakken, T. L., & Oddli, H. W. (2020). “Driven and tense, stressed out and anxious”: Clinicians’ perceptions of post-traumatic stress disorder symptom expressions in adults with autism and intellectual disability. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 13(3), 201-230. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315864.2020.1760972

Kildahl, A. N., Helverschou, S. B. & Oddli, H. W. (2020). Clinicians’ retrospective perceptions of failure to detect sexual abuse in a young man with autism and mild intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 45(2), 194-202. https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2019.1680821

Kildahl, A. N., Oddli, H. W., & Helverschou, S. B. (2020). Potentially traumatic experiences and behavioural symptoms in adults with autism and intellectual disability referred for psychiatric assessment. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 107, 103788. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103788

Kildahl, A. N., Bakken, T. L., Iversen, T. E., & Helverschou, S. B. (2019). Identification of post-traumatic stress disorder in individuals with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability: A systematic review. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 12(1-2), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315864.2019.1595233

Bakken, T. L., Gjersøe, V., Matre, E., Kristiansen, T., Ro, A., Tveter, A. L., Høidal, S. H., & Kildahl, A. N. (2014). PTSD in adults with intellectual disabilities: Stabilisation during inpatient stay. Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 8(4), 237-247. https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-10-2013-0061

Bakken, T. L., Kildahl, A. N., Gjersøe, V., Matre, E., Kristiansen, T., Ro, A., Tveter, A. L. & Høidal, S. H. (2014). Identification of PTSD in adults with intellectual disabilities in five patients in a specialised psychiatric inpatient unit. Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 8(2), 91-102. https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-01-2013-0002

Other selected publications

Dalhaug, K. C., Storvik, K., & Kildahl, A. N. (2022). Undiagnosed psychotic disorder in autistic individuals with intellectual disabilities and suspected obsessive-compulsive disorder: An explorative, clinical study. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315864.2022.2117880

Iversen, S., & Kildahl, A. N. (2022). Case report: Mechanisms in misdiagnosis of autism as borderline personality disorder. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 735205. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.735205

Rysstad, A. L., Kildahl, A. N., Skavhaug, J. O., Dønnum, M. S., & Helverschou, S. B. (2022). Case study: Organization of outpatient pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder in autism, intellectual disability and Phelan-McDermid syndrome (22q13.3 deletion syndrome). International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 68(3), 378-387. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2020.1756113

Kildahl, A. N., Helverschou, S. B., Rysstad, A. L., Wigaard, E., Hellerud, J. M. A., Ludvigsen, L. B., & Howlin, P. (2021). Pathological demand avoidance in children and adolescents: A systematic review. Autism, 25(8), 2162-2176. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211034382

Helverschou, S. B., Bakken, T. L., Berge, H., Bjørgen, T. G., Botheim, H., Hellerud, J. A., Helseth, I., Hove, O., Johansen, P. A., Kildahl, A. N., Ludvigsen, L. B., Nygaard, S., Rysstad, A., Wigaard, E., & Howlin, P. (2021). Preliminary findings from a nationwide, multicenter mental health service for adults and older adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and ID. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 18(2), 162-173. https://doi.org/10.1111/jppi.12366

Helverschou, S. B., Ludvigsen, L. B., Hove, O., & Kildahl, A. N. (2021). Psychometric properties of the Psychopathology in Autism Checklist (PAC). International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 67(5), 318-326. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2021.1910779

Sommerstad, H. S., Kildahl, A. N., Munkhaugen, E. K., Karlsen, K., & Bakken, T. L. (2021). Experiences of ward atmosphere in inpatients with intellectual disability and mental illness. Clinical implications for mental health nursing. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 67(5), 339-348. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2021.1900507

Kildahl, A. N., Berg, L. K., Nilssen, A. L. E., Bjørgo, K., Rødningen, O. & Helverschou, S. B. (2020). Case Report: Psychiatric Assessment in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (22q13 Deletion Syndrome). Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, 45(1), 54-58. https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2018.1440135

Kildahl, A. N., Engebretsen, M. H., & Helverschou S. B. (2019). Attachment disorder in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 13(2), 57-66. https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-09-2018-0039

Kildahl, A. N., Engebretsen, M. H., Horndalsveen, K., Hellerud, J., Wiik, J. Y., Aasen, G. & Helverschou, S. B. (2019). Psychiatric assessment in congenital blindness, ASD and ID: Experience from two clinical cases. Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 13(5), 194-203. https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-03-2019-0007

Bakken, T. L., Sageng, H., Hellerud, J. M. A., Kildahl, A. N. & Kristiansen, T. (2017). The use of validation in mental health nursing for adults with intellectual disabilities and mental illness: A descriptive study. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 38, 619-623. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2017.1330910

Kildahl, A. N., Bakken, T. L., Holm, O. K. & Helverschou, S. B. (2017). Assessment of psychosis in ASD/ID: A Case Study. Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities 11(1), 17-23. https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-11-2016-0036

Dr Liesbeth Mevissen PhD

Clinical Psychologist, EMDR Europe Consultant researcher at Trajectum, Department of Knowedge Quality & Innovation, Netherlands

Liesbeth is independently established as a teacher, supervisor, author, practitioner and consultant for the Centre for Consultation and Expertise. In addition, she is a researcher at the Trajectum Knowledge Centre and a supervisor and researcher at VGGNet.

Liesbeth has years of experience both in mental health care / child and youth psychiatry and in care for the disabled.

She is registered as a Clinical Psychologist (BIG), Orthopedagoog-Generalist (NVO), Psychotraumatherapeut NtVP and EMDR supervisor. Liesbeth obtained her PhD on research into trauma in people with intellectual disabilities.

Her particular attention is paid to diagnostics and (intensive) treatment of (complex) trauma and stressor-related problems in vulnerable target groups such as people with an intellectual disability or weak giftedness and people with autism. Liesbeth does this in collaboration with parents and others who are closely involved with the person.

Liesbeth MEVISSEN | Doctor of Psychology | University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam | UVA | Faculty of Dentistry (researchgate.net)

Dr Sarah Wigham

Senior Research Associate

University of Newcastle

Dr Sarah Wigham is a Senior Researcher at Newcastle University (UK), an Occupational Therapist and a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (North East and North Cumbria) Mental Health Research Fellow. 

Research Interests

Autism Spectrum Conditions in Adults

The development of health measurement scales or outcome measures

Psychometric properties of outcome measures 

Mental health, trauma/ post traumatic stress disorder

Systematic reviews 

Intellectual and developmental disabilities 

Current Work

The diagnosis of autism spectrum conditions in adults and post diagnostic support  

Previous Work

Systematic review of outcome measures used in interventions for anxiety in children with autism spectrum conditions

Development of a measure of anxiety for children with autism spectrum conditions

Publications

• Wigham S, Ingham B, Le Couteur A, Wilson C, Ensum I, Parr JR. A survey of autistic adults, relatives and clinical teams in the United Kingdom: And Delphi process consensus statements on optimal autism diagnostic assessment for adults. Autism 2022, Epub ahead of print.
• Bourne J, Harrison TL, Wigham S, Morison C-J, Hackett S. A systematic review of community psychosocial group interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities and mental health conditions. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities 2022, 35(1), 3-23.
• Wigham S, Ingham B, Le Couteur A, Wilson C, Ensum I, Parr JR. Consensus Statements on optimal adult post-autism diagnosis support and services; Delphi process following a UK survey of autistic adults, relatives and clinicians. Autism 2022, epub ahead of print.
• McKenzie K, Wigham S, Bourne J, Rowlands G, Hackett S. Exploring the views of UK regional primary care practitioners on the use and role of screening tools for learning disabilities in their services. British Journal of Learning Disabilities 2022, epub ahead of print.
• Wigham S, McGovern R, Kaner E, Hackett SS. A Review of Recent Innovation in Psychosocial Interventions for reducing Violence and Aggression in Adults using a Horizon Scanning Approach. Aggression and Violent Behaviour 2021, 62, 101685.
• Wigham S, McKinnon I, Reid K, Milton D, Lingam R, Rodgers J. Questionnaires used in Complex Trauma Intervention Evaluations and Consideration of their Utility for Autistic Adults with Mild Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review. Research in Developmental Disabilities 2021, 117, 104039.
• Wigham S, Hatton C, Taylor JL. Short report and initial evaluation of the factor structure of the Lancaster and Northgate Trauma Scales (LANTS). Research in Developmental Disabilities 2021, 112, 103914.
• McKinnon I, Wigham S, Reid K, Milton D, Lingam R, Rodgers J. Utility of Complex Trauma Questionnaires for Adults on the Autism Spectrum with Mild Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review. In: International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting (INSAR). 2021, Virtual: INSAR.
• Rodgers J, Farquhar K, Mason D, Brice S, Wigham S, Ingham B, Freeston MF, Parr JR. Development and initial evaluation of the Anxiety Scale for Autism - Adults. Autism in Adulthood 2020, 2(1), 24-33.
• Wigham S, Ingham B, LeCouteur A, Berney T, Ensum I, Parr JR. Development and initial utility of the Autism Clinical Interview for Adults: a new adult autism diagnostic measure. Autism in Adulthood 2020, 2(1), 42-47.
• Wigham S, Watts P, Zubala A, Jandial S, Bourne J, Hackett S. Using Arts-based Therapies to Improve Mental Health for Children and Young People with Physical Health Long-term Conditions. A Systematic Review of Effectiveness. Frontiers in Psychology 2020, 11, 1771.
• Wigham S, Rodgers J, Berney T, Le Couteur A, Ingham B, Parr JR. Psychometric properties of questionnaires and diagnostic measures for autism spectrum disorders in adults: a systematic review. Autism: International Journal of Research and Practice 2019, 23(2), 287-305.
• Bauer A, Newbury-Birch D, Robalino S, Ferguson J, Wigham S. Is prevention better than cure? A systematic review of the effectiveness of well-being interventions for military personnel adjusting to civilian life. PLoS One 2018, 13(5), e0190144.
• Cassidy SA, Bradley L, Bowen E, Wigham S, Rodgers J. Measurement properties of tools used to assess depression in adults with and without autism spectrum conditions: A systematic review. Autism Research 2018, 11(5), 738-754.
• Cassidy S, Bowen E, Bradley L, Wigham S, Rodgers J. Measurement properties of tools used to assess suicidality in autistic and general population adults: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review 2018, 62, 56-70.
• Wigham S, Bauer A, Robalino S, Ferguson J, Burke A, Newbury-Birch D. A systematic review of the effectiveness of alcohol brief interventions for the UK military personnel moving back to civilian life. Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps 2017, 163(4), 242-250.
• Wigham S, Barton S, Parr JR, Rodgers J. A systematic review of the rates of depression in children and adults with high functioning autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities 2017, 10(4), 267-287.
• Adams J, McNaughten RJ, Wigham S, Flynn D, Ternent L, Shucksmith J. Acceptability of Parental Financial Incentives and Quasi-Mandatory Interventions for Preschool Vaccinations: Triangulation of Findings from Three Linked Studies. PLoS One 2016, 11(6), e0156843.
• Rodgers J, Wigham S, McConachie H, Freeston M, Honey E, Parr JR. Development of the Anxiety Scale for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASC-ASD). Autism Research 2016, 9(11), 1205-1215.
• Adams J, Bateman B, Becker F, Cresswell T, Flynn D, McNaughton R, Oluboyede Y, Robalino S, Ternent L, Gardner Sood B, Michie S, Shucksmith J, Sniehotta FSF, Wigham S. Effectiveness and acceptability of parental financial incentives and quasi-mandatory schemes for increasing uptake of vaccinations in preschool children: systematic review, qualitative study, and discrete choice experiment. Southampton: National Institute for Health Research, 2015. Health Technology Assessment 19 (94).
• Parr J, Gray L, Wigham S, McConachie H, LeCouteur A. Measuring the relationship between the parental Broader Autism Phenotype, parent–child interaction, and children’s progress following parent mediated intervention. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 2015, 20, 24-30.
• Wigham S, Emerson E. Trauma and life events in adults with intellectual disability. Current Developmental Disorders Reports 2015, 2(2), 93-99.
• Wigham S, Taylor JL, Hatton C. A prospective study of the relationship between adverse life events and trauma in adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research 2014, 58(12), 1131-1140.
• South M, Chamberlain PD, Wigham S, Newton T, Le Couteur A, McConachie H, Gray L, Freeston M, Parr J, Kirwan CB, Rodgers J. Enhanced decision making and risk avoidance in high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Neuropsychology 2014, 28(2), 222-228.
• Wigham S, Ternent L, Bryant A, Robalino S, Sniehotta FF, Adams J. Parental Financial Incentives for Increasing Preschool Vaccination Uptake: Systematic Review. Pediatrics 2014, 134(4), e1117-e1128.
• Wigham S, McConachie H. Systematic review of the properties of tools used to measure outcomes in anxiety intervention studies for children with autism spectrum disorders. PLoS ONE 2014, 9(1), e85268.
• Wigham S, Rodgers J, South M, McConachie H, Freeston M. The interplay between sensory processing abnormalities, intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety and restricted and repetitive behaviours in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2014, 45(4), 943-952.
• Hudry K, Aldred C, Wigham S, Green J, Leadbitter K, Temple K, Barlow K, McConachie H, the PACT Consortium. Predictors of parent-child interaction style in dyads with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities 2013, 34(10), 3400-3410.
• Wigham S, McConachie H, Tandos J, Le Couteur A, Gateshead Millennium Study core team. The reliability and validity of the Social Responsiveness Scale in a UK general child population. Research in Developmental Disabilities 2012, 33(3), 944-950.
• Wigham S, Hatton C, Taylor JL. The Effects of Traumatizing Life Events on People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities 2011, 4(1), 19-39.
• Wigham S, Hatton C, Taylor JL. The Lancaster and Northgate Trauma Scales (LANTS): The development and psychometric properties of a measure of trauma for people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities 2011.
• Hatton C, Wigham S, Craig J. Developing measures of job performance for support staff in housing services for people with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities 2009, 22(1), 54-64.
• Wigham S, Robertson J, Emerson E, Hatton C, Elliott J, McIntosh B, Swift P, Krinjen-Kemp E, Towers C, Romeo R, Knapp M, Sanderson H, Routledge M, Oakes P, Joyce T. Reported goal setting and benefits of person centred planning for people with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities 2008, 12(2), 143-152.
• Wigham S, Supyk J. Should Occupational Therapists Work Shifts?. British Journal of Occupational Therapy 2001, 64(3), 151-152.

Dr. Gary Byrne B.A. (Hons)

Dr. Gary Byrne B.A. (Hons), M.A., D.Clin Psyc is a Senior Clinical Psychologist presently working in Primary Care in the HSE. In 2003 Gary obtained an honours degree in Psychology from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Upon completing his degree, he took up a post within an intellectual disability service followed by research roles in the area of addiction. In 2008, Gary received a Masters in Forensic Psychology from University College Cork. In 2013 he qualified as a Clinical Psychologist after completing the Doctoral training in Clinical Psychology at the National University of Ireland, Galway. During his 3 years of Clinical Psychology training he worked in various services within the HSE including adult mental health, child primary care, school aged disability and early intervention. Gary also worked in the Irish Prison Service and St. John of God’s Services

Since then, Gary has worked in primary care services in the Dublin region. In this role, Gary provides psychological assessment and intervention for children, young people and adults experiencing a broad range of difficulties including depression, anxiety, OCD, behavioural difficulties and trauma. He uses a broad range evidence-based therapeutic approaches including; Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness. Gary has undergone further training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Mentalization-Based Therapies.

Gary BYRNE - Clinical Psychologist (researchgate.net)

Dr Paddy McNally

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Ulster University

Paddy MCNALLY | Ulster University, Antrim | School of Health Sciences | Research profile (researchgate.net)

Jon Taylor

Consultant Forensic Psychologist

Derbyshire Community Forensic Mental Health Team & Healthcare Dept HMP Whatton

Dr Zainab Al-Attar

BSc (Hons), MSc, MA, PhD, C.Psychol (Foren), AFBPsS, CSci

University College London, University of Oxford & CREST - University of Central Lancashire

Dr Al-Attar is a Forensic Psychologist with 22 years’ experience in forensic psychology. Prior to that, she worked in neuropsychology at the doctoral and post-doctoral levels. She practices full-time in the public sector and is a part-time academic, where she specialises in teaching and research in forensic mental health, with a focus on neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr Al-Attar is also a Consultant Psychologist at Psychiatry-UK, where she works primarily in the autism team, carrying out assessments and delivering training to consultant psychiatrists. Dr Al-Attar carried our research on trauma and forensic behaviour two decades ago and has developed eLearning on trauma and mental health for the United Nations and published on trauma in the forensic context. She has published on autism, as well as regularly delivering training to a range of practitioners and presenting at national and international conferences, in this field. Dr Al-Attar has published guidelines for forensic practitioners to assist them to tailor standard risk assessment and formulation to the needs of individuals with autism and ADHD. Finally, Dr Al-Attar is a reviewer for numerous peer reviewed journals and is a member of the BPS’ expert group on terrorism.

Dr Deborah Morris

Director Centre for Developmental and Complex Trauma

Deborah is a consultant clinical psychologist who has
worked clinically with adults with complex trauma,
personality disorder, neurodevelopmental, forensic and
mental health needs in community, assertive outreach,
crisis, residential and inpatient settings. Deborah has
previously worked in professional and clinical lead positions.
Deborah is currently the Director for the Centre of
Developmental and Complex Trauma (CDCT), which focuses
on promoting the voice and needs or marginalised
populations who have experienced repeated exposure to
trauma. Her research interests and publications include;
intellectual disabilities, developmental trauma disorder,
intersectionality and inclusion in trauma, adverse childhood
experiences, complex trauma in marginalised populations
and the physical health impact of exposure to trauma.