---
title: Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Unit
description: "## Philosophy of Care This highly specialized unit is designed for crisis stabilization; our goal is to move individuals to a less-intensive level of care as soon as it is safe to do so. While staying on our unit, individuals receive individualized…"
url: "https://johngeorgepsychiatrichospital.org/docs/intellectual-disabilities-and-autism-unit/"
updated: "2026-05-01"
category: "Care & Services / Inpatient & Specialty Services"
---

# Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Unit

## Philosophy of Care

This highly specialized unit is designed for crisis stabilization; our goal is to move individuals to a less-intensive level of care as soon as it is safe to do so. While staying on our unit, individuals receive individualized care with a high level of supervision; we offer a high staff-to-patient ratio, which we have found is most effective for this unique population.

## Who We Serve

Individuals generally come to our unit for care after engaging in exceptionally aggressive behavior, or other challenging behavior that cannot be controlled in a community setting. In general, we treat individuals who have a low level of cognition, and have one or more of the following disorders: autism spectrum disorder, moderate to severe intellectual disability, impulse control disorder, disruptive behavior disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and other comorbid psychiatric disorders.