Policy Challenges & the complicated intersection between Developmental & Psychiatric disorders

Val's Take/Conjecture

• I am supportive of the State's desire to reserve premium ABTU space to those who really need it.
• We do have some categories that we have traditionally thought of as quite distinct and most research in 2024 would identify a Neuro-Developmental / Psychiatric Continuum.
• There are specialists, but many mental health professionals are not competent to address Neuro-Developmental Disorders, and if these kids, adolescents, adults have an IQ over 70 --- they are ironically quite at risk.
• Historically, a lot of kids and adults with neuro-developmental disorders have ended up in the Juvenile Justice System and the Adult Justice System. 
• So where in the "rich, abundant resources in the community" are these kids with neuro-developmental disorders going?

The influence of neurodevelopmental impairment on youth crime. (2017)

"The disproportionately high prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders among young people in custody in numerous countries suggests a heightened vulnerability to serious and/or persistent offending coupled with a failure of various policy and practice systems to address complex needs in seeking to prevent offending and re-offending."

Updated adolescent admissions to the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo
 June 27, 2024

Good afternoon, 
I am writing to inform you of the updated admissions policy and procedures for the adolescent behavioral treatment unit (ABTU) at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP).

Review of recent admissions to ABTU show that many of the youth ordered to inpatient competency restoration are not in need of inpatient psychiatric care and that the factors impacting competency are often related to learning or developmental disorders, young age, and/or attentional problems, for example, rather than a psychiatric illness.

Youth without a need for intensive/inpatient psychiatric treatment would be best served, and have their developmental needs best met, in settings where there are more opportunities for these youth to develop their skills and abilities socially, academically, and recreationally while continuing treatment in a safe and secure environment.

Jill Marshall
Chief Executive Officer
Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP)