Mental health services for children and adolescents with learning disabilities: a review of research on experiences of service users and providers.

Accessible summary Many policies and initiatives have been developed to improve mental health services for children with learning disabilities., Children with learning disabilities and their parents, however, experience many barriers accessing mental health services., Service providers identified a lack of resources as a barrier to meeting the needs of children with learning disabilities., Current research offers suggestions on what can be improved, but further research is needed to identify what models of service would work best for children with learning disabilities., Abstract Background: Children and young people with learning disabilities experience high rates of mental health problems. Methods: The present study reviewed the literature on mental health services for children with learning disabilities, to identify known models of service provision and what has been experienced as effective or challenging in providing good services. Results: Children with learning disabilities and their parents experience barriers accessing mental health services that are related to a lack of information and perceptions of services as being inadequate. Service providers identified a lack of resources as a barrier to meeting needs. Although positive experiences are also observed, many parents have found services to be inappropriate or overwhelming. Conclusion: Research linking population need to available resources, and service models to services users' outcomes would be valuable to make clear recommendations on how mental health services can address the needs of this group more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]