Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents With Developmental Disorders

This study examined suicidality in a clinically referred sample of children & adolescents with developmental disorders. 47 patients (20%) experienced either suicidal ideation, threats or attempts with hanging being the most frequent method considered. Suicidality was more often encountered in individuals with oppositional defiant disorder, depressive disorders, & posttraumatic stress disorder, & less often in the autistic & the severely/profoundly mentally retarded groups. (19 refs.)