Learning Disability Psychiatry
Specialist psychiatric assessment and treatment for adults with Learning Disabilities (also known as Intellectual Disabilities), delivered by a consultant with a CCT in Psychiatry of Intellectual Disability.
Specialist Expertise in Learning Disability
Dr. Laura Korb is a Consultant Psychiatrist with a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Psychiatry of Intellectual Disability, awarded by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2020. Alongside her private practice, she holds a substantive NHS role and remains an active researcher, educator, and College examiner in the field.
Dr. Korb is an elected member of the executive of the Faculty of Intellectual Disability at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the professional body that sets standards for Learning Disability psychiatry across the UK.
Her research has focused particularly on the intersection of ADHD and Learning Disability, an area where clinical need significantly outpaces current provision, and she has contributed to national guidance and college reports in this area.
Qualifications & Roles
- CCT in Psychiatry of Intellectual Disability, Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2020
- Elected Executive Member, Faculty of Intellectual Disability, Royal College of Psychiatrists
- MRCPsych, Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2014
- GMC Specialist Register No. 7071772
Selected Publications
Perera B, Chen J, Korb L, et al.
Patterns of comorbidity and psychopharmacology in adults with intellectual disability and ADHD: a UK national cross-sectional audit.
Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 2021; 22: 1071–8.
Korb L, et al.
Assessing and managing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in people with intellectual disability.
BJPsych Advances, 2022.
Royal College of Psychiatrists
CR230: ADHD in Adults with Intellectual Disability.
RCPsych College Report, 2021. (Deputy Editor)
What to Expect
Appointments are designed to be accessible and person-centred. Reasonable adjustments can be arranged in advance.
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Before the Appointment
If the person attending has a hospital passport, communication profile, or specific reasonable adjustment needs, please send these to us in advance. Dr. Korb will review them before the appointment and ensure the approach is as accessible and accommodating as possible. Carers and family members are welcome to attend and their input is a valuable part of the assessment.
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The Initial Assessment
The initial appointment is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation tailored to the individual. It covers current mental health presentation, psychiatric and medical history, medication history, developmental background, social circumstances, and level of adaptive functioning. Where carers or family members attend, their perspective forms an integral part of the assessment. Capacity to consent to treatment and medication is assessed as part of the consultation where relevant. Dr. Korb will share her clinical impressions and discuss recommended next steps at the end of the appointment.
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Written Report
A clinical letter is provided as standard following the appointment, addressed to the GP and any relevant professionals. More detailed reports, for legal proceedings, best interest meetings, or care planning purposes, are available. Please discuss your requirements at the time of booking.
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Ongoing Care
Follow-up appointments are available for medication management, monitoring, and ongoing psychiatric support. The frequency will be agreed at the initial appointment and reviewed as care progresses. Dr. Korb works collaboratively with GPs, community Learning Disability teams, and other professionals involved in the individual's care.
Areas of Assessment & Treatment
Dr. Korb accepts referrals across the full spectrum of Learning Disability, from mild to profound, across all adult age groups.
Comprehensive psychiatric assessment for adults with Learning Disabilities who may be experiencing anxiety, depression, psychosis, or other mental health conditions. Presentations in the context of Learning Disability are often complex and require specialist expertise to evaluate and interpret correctly.
Mental health diagnoses can be missed, misapplied, or complicated by diagnostic overshadowing in people with Learning Disabilities. Dr. Korb provides thorough assessments to clarify or revise previous diagnoses, ensuring appropriate and targeted treatment.
ADHD is significantly more prevalent in people with Learning Disabilities than in the general population, yet frequently goes unrecognised. Dr. Korb has published research specifically on ADHD assessment and management in adults with Learning Disabilities, including contributing to the RCPsych college report CR230 as deputy editor.
Autism and Learning Disability frequently co-occur. Accurate diagnosis of autism in the context of Learning Disability requires specialist knowledge and training. Dr. Korb can conduct comprehensive autism assessments, including ADOS-2 and ADI-R, for people with Learning Disabilities.
Independent review of current psychiatric and psychotropic medications, covering appropriateness, efficacy, dosage, and tolerability. Polypharmacy is common in people with Learning Disabilities and regular expert review is important for patient safety and quality of life. Capacity to consent to medication is assessed as part of any review.
Assessment and formulation of behaviour that challenges, drawing on a biopsychosocial model. Dr. Korb will consider underlying medical, psychiatric, environmental, and communicative factors and provide recommendations for a coordinated, person-centred response.
Fees
Transparent fees with no hidden charges. Payable in advance via secure online booking.
| Appointment Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Initial Assessment | £550 |
| Follow-Up Appointment | £220 |
Fees are subject to change. Payments are processed securely via Stripe.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your question is not answered here, please get in touch.
What is a Learning Disability?
A Learning Disability (also known as Intellectual Disability) is a lifelong condition characterised by significant limitations in intellectual functioning (typically an IQ below 70) alongside significant limitations in adaptive behaviour, originating before the age of 18. This affects everyday social and practical skills. A Learning Disability is distinct from learning difficulties such as dyslexia, which do not affect general intellectual ability in the same way.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can self-refer directly. A carer, family member, or support worker can also get in touch on behalf of the person seeking assessment. We do recommend informing the GP so that care can be appropriately coordinated.
Can a family member or carer attend the appointment?
Yes. Family members, carers, and support workers are welcome to attend. Their contribution is often clinically valuable. An informant history from someone who knows the patient well is an important part of a thorough Learning Disability psychiatric assessment.
Can we send a hospital passport or reasonable adjustment requests in advance?
Yes, and this is encouraged. If your relative or the person you support has a hospital passport, communication profile, or specific reasonable adjustment needs, please send these to us before the appointment. Dr. Korb will review them beforehand and do her best to accommodate all requests.
What does the initial assessment involve?
The initial assessment is up to 50 minutes and is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation tailored to the individual. It covers current mental health presentation, psychiatric and medical history, medication history, developmental and educational background, social circumstances, and level of adaptive functioning. Where a carer or family member is present, their perspective is an important part of the assessment. Where relevant, capacity to consent to treatment and medication is also assessed as part of the consultation. Dr. Korb will share her clinical impressions at the end of the appointment and discuss recommended next steps.
What is diagnostic overshadowing?
Diagnostic overshadowing occurs when a person's symptoms are incorrectly attributed to their Learning Disability, rather than being recognised as a separate, treatable mental health condition. It is a well-recognised risk in the care of people with Learning Disabilities. Dr. Korb's specialist training equips her to look beyond the Learning Disability and identify co-occurring conditions that may otherwise be missed.
What level of Learning Disability can be assessed?
Dr. Korb accepts referrals across the full range of Learning Disability levels, from mild to profound. Assessments are adapted to meet individual communication and capacity needs, and reasonable adjustments are made as required.
Will I receive a written report after the assessment?
A clinical letter addressed to the GP and relevant professionals is provided as standard following the appointment. More detailed reports, for example for legal proceedings, best interest meetings, or care planning purposes, are available. Please discuss your requirements at the time of booking.
Ready to take the next step?
No GP referral needed. Book your initial assessment online or contact us to discuss your situation first. Appointments are available in Barnet, North London.
Prefer to talk first? Send us a message and we will get back to you promptly.