The Case For Removing Intellectual Disability And Autism From The Mental Health Act (Vol 75, 183, 2019)

Intellectual disability (also known as learning disability in UK health services) and autism are distinct from the serious mental illnesses for which the Mental Health Act is designed to be used. Their inclusion in the definition of mental disorder is discriminatory, resulting in unjust deprivations of liberty. Intellectual disability and autism should be excluded from the Mental Health Act. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:None.