NTG Statements
Clinical and Policy Statements and Advisories
Over the years, the NTG alone or with colleague organizations has posted statements and advisories on a number of clinical, health, and public policy issues.
On this page we list the relevant statements and advisories for easy access and retrieval.
If you are looking for another specific document, use the Search function box at the top right hand side of the page.
Statements
Aducanumab and Persons with Down Syndrome: What Do We Do Now? (Statement)
NTG issued statement on use of Aduhelm by persons with Down syndrome. This statement, the result of a collaborative effort coordinated by the NTG Aduhelm and Down Syndrome Medical Advisory Group, was led by Seth M. Keller, MD, Co-President of the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices.
Advisory on Long-COVID and its cognitive effects on adults with intellectual disability (Statement)
Concerns over the impact of Long-COVID upon adults with intellectual disability and the omission of clear guidance on this issue as lead the NTG to prepare an "Advisory on Long-COVID and Impact on Cognitive Function in Adults with Intellectual Disability." The document is now available for download and use via this website. The Advisory contains the NTG's position on this condition and addresses the background and definition of the cognitive aspects of Long-COVID, its symptoms and effects, what to look for with respect to symptoms, and what agencies and others can do to help adults affected by Long-COVID. The Advisory covers these main points: (1) Long-COVID can include ‘brain fog’ (problems with thinking, motivation, and carrying out life activities); (2) Adults with intellectual disability infected with the SARS-COV-2 variant virus may experience Long-COVID, (3) Partners, families, and agencies need to be on the ‘look-out’ for changes in cognitive functions that may be due to Long-COVID; (4) Screening and assessment should be undertaken to determine presence of Long-COVID; (5) Accommodations and adaptations should be put in place to help mitigate effects of Long-COVID.
NTG Statement on COVID-19, Intellectual Disability, and Dementia
This NTG statement, issued December 11, 2020, provides the rationale for placing adults with intellectual disability affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other causes for dementia on priority lists for receiving special consideration in mitigation strategies for managing the spread of COVID-19 and for receiving inoculation by vaccines designed to inhibit infections by the COVID-19 virus.
Over-Medication and Older Adults with Intellectual Disability: Risks for Brain Health (Statement)
This document, released on February 21, 2023, was issued jointly by the NTG and the Health Matters Program as part of an advisory series on risk reduction in adults with intellectual disability and promoting healthy brain outcomes. The advisory recognizes that in some instances overmedicating can have negative effects on physical and brain health, as well as potentially increase the risk for mild cognitive impairment or dementia. The intent of the advisory is that the information provided will lead to constructive scrutiny of medication use, avoid “medication harm’, and result in positive health outcomes.
Screening, Diagnosis, and Follow-up for Dementia among Adults with Intellectual Disability (Statement)
A position paper on the need for accessible and available diagnostic resources across the United States for determining the presence of dementia in adults with intellectual disability and supporting the provision of post-diagnostic supports.
Statement on the Implications of the ‘Younger-Onset’ Provisions of the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 for Families of People with Intellectual Disability Affected by Dementia
Congress passed explicit language as part of Older Americans Act reauthorization that persons experiencing younger-age onset of dementia are eligible for OAA services.