Understanding the Effects of Intellectual Disability on Homelessness |
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In the United States, there are more than half a million homeless people. More than half of those individuals live unsheltered while others live in homeless shelters or transitional housing. Research shows that 30% of homeless people have a cognitive impairment. These impairments include autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, intellectual disability, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Risk Factor
A review published in 2020 took a careful look at the effect intellectual disability has on homelessness and what can be done to help the problem. The evidence shows that having an intellectual disability is a risk factor for homelessness, but it can be difficult to identify why. Homeless people with intellectual disabilities were more likely to be African-American and more likely to be male. Most of them had dropped out of school and experienced other problems such as substance abuse disorders or mental health issues. They are less likely to want to interact with family members, and many of them desire to remain homeless.
Individuals with intellectual disabilities are more likely to become homeless at an older age due to the loss of a relationship or the death of a primary caregiver. As a result, they are more likely to have difficulty accessing the necessary resources. They may not be able to describe their disability, or they may be unaware of it. This can make it difficult for support systems to identify those with intellectual disabilities and get them the help they need.
Possible Solutions
The review also came away with some possible solutions to the prevalence of homelessness among individuals with intellectual disabilities. Screening by agencies who provide services to the homeless could help identify those with intellectual disabilities and get them the extra support they need. In addition, homelessness can be prevented by paying attention to the needs of individuals after the death or loss of a caretaker. Coordinated health care and social services could go a long way to keeping individuals with intellectual disabilities in stable housing. Coordinating agencies and systems such as the criminal justice system, social services, health care, and housing services could also help keep those with intellectual disability from becoming homeless.
If you or a loved one has a mental disability and has been arrested or convicted of a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Elizabeth Kelley specializes in representing individuals with mental disabilities. To schedule a consultation, call (509) 991-7058.
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For More Information on Mental Disabilities and the Criminal Justice System
Representing People with Mental Disabilities: A Criminal Defense Lawyer's Best Practices Manual was edited by Elizabeth Kelley.
It contains chapters devoted to a variety of issues confronted by people with mental disabilities in the criminal justice system, such as Competency, Sanity, Malingering, Neuroscience, Jail and Prison Conditions, Working with Experts, and Risk Assessment. Chapters are written by academics, mental health experts, and criminal defense lawyers. In the introduction, Elizabeth writes that "This is the resource I wish I had had many years ago."
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Elizabeth Kelley
Criminal Defense Attorney
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Elizabeth Kelley is a criminal defense lawyer with a nationwide practice specializing in representing people with mental disabilities. She is the co-chair of The Arc's National Center for Criminal Justice and Disability, serves on the American Bar Association’s Commission on Disability Rights, Criminal Justice Section Council, and Editorial Board of the Criminal Justice Magazine. Learn more.
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What Judges Should Know About Autism Spectrum Disorders |
Featuring Elizabeth Kelley, Spokane, WA
Hosted by the Hon. Ronald Ginkowski
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Elizabeth has authored ABA books on representing defendants with mental disabilities and, most recently, on representing clients with autism spectrum disorders. In this edition of Gavel Talks she discusses autism spectrum disorders and how judges can respond to defendants with them. |
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Covid linked to risk of mental illness and brain disorder, study suggests |
One in eight people who have had Covid-19 are diagnosed with their first psychiatric or neurological illness within six months of testing positive for the virus, a new analysis suggests, adding heft to an emerging body of evidence that stresses the toll of the virus on mental health and brain disorders cannot be ignored. |
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Parents Sue Louisiana Sheriff and Deputies Over Autistic Son’s Death |
The parents of an autistic teenager who died last year after an encounter with sheriff’s deputies in Jefferson Parish, La., filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday, claiming that deputies who were trying to restrain him had sat on him for a total of more than nine minutes, leading to his death. |
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New Program Aims To Train Doctors On Developmental Disabilities |
A new effort is underway to better prepare future doctors and other health care professionals to treat people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. |
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His Attorneys Say He’s Intellectually Disabled. A ‘Reform’ Prosecutor Wants the Death Penalty |
On the morning of May 30, 2012, in Jacksonville, Florida, Dennis Glover heard a scream come from the trailer of his neighbor, Sandra Allen, according to a statement he later gave police. He went to check on her and when he looked in, he saw blood, left, and told his girlfriend to call 911. The police arrived and found Allen had been stabbed multiple times. |
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‘Constant breaking of your heart:’ How Utah police respond to mental health crises |
Victoria Thomas remembers the snow and how the heavy flakes came down, falling on the body of her dead son, Marc Neal, as police investigated the February 2020 shooting in her front yard. She remembers investigators digging around for officers’ shell casings.
Neal, 56, was a loving son, Thomas said, but he struggled with mental illness. She said that illness led to the confrontation with officers and she blames it for his death.
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Representing People with Mental Disabilities: A Criminal Defense Lawyer's Best Practices Manual
Representing People with Mental Disabilities: A Criminal Defense Lawyer's Best Practices Manual, was edited by Elizabeth Kelley. It contains chapters devoted to a variety of issues confronted by people with mental disabilities in the criminal-justice system, such as:
- Competency
- Sanity
- Malingering
- Neuroscience
- Jail and Prison Conditions
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Representing People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers
Elizabeth's book titled Representing People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers was just released by the American Bar Association. Topics include:
- Co-Occurring Disorders
- Testing
- Competency
- Risk of Violence
- Mitigation.
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