STOMP stands for stopping over medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both with psychotropic medicines.
The STOMP networks are well established in UK as they are led by the National Health Service; https://www.england.nhs.uk/learning-disabilities/improving-health/stomp/professionals/.
STOMPOZ is the first Australian network to be established.
The use of psychotropic medications as chemical restraint to control the behaviour of people with intellectual disabilities continues to be a significant issue, persisting from the time of institutionalisation. Despite the flimsy evidence for the use of medication as chemical restraint, governments continue to permit its use under the rhetoric of approved restrictive practices. It can only be through the coordinated action of people with intellectual disabilities, their families, clinical practitioners and service providers, and the creation of a rigorous research evidence that we will see any meaningful change in the use of psychotropic medication for people with intellectual disabilities. StompOz provides the framework for this, but to achieve these dramatic improvements in the access to behaviour supports and the quality of practice are required.
ASID hosts this page on behalf of STOMPOZ and receives funds from Life Without Barriers to maintain it.
For more information on STOMPOZ or content, please contact stompozcontact@gmail.com.
Supporting STOMP
You can be a #stompoz supporter whether you are a person with a learning disability, autism or both, a family carer, voluntary organisation, health or social care professional:
- Ask your health care and social care providers if they have signed up to #stompoz and what they are doing to stop over medication with psychotropic drugs
- Give them the web address for #stompoz for all the information they need to get started
- Share the easy read leaflet about STOMP
- Tell family carers about the resources on the Challenging Behaviour Foundation
- Download the poster and share the short film about STOMP on the MiXit website
- Use social media to tell others what you are doing about STOMP. The Twitter hashtag is #stompoz
- If you are a professional find out what your professional body’s #stompoz commitments are on their website.
How health care providers can support #stompoz
All health care providers who prescribe psychotropic medicine to people with a learning disability, autism or both are asked to adopt the stomp health care pledge:
- We will actively explore alternatives to medication
- We will ensure people with a learning disability, autism or both, of any age and their circle of support are fully informed about their medication and are involved in decisions about their care
- We will ensure all staff within the organisation have an understanding of psychotropic medication including why it is being used and the likely side effects
- We will ensure all people are able to speak up if they have a concern that someone is receiving inappropriate medication
- We will maintain accurate records about a person’s health, wellbeing and behaviour
- We will ensure that medication, if needed, is started, reviewed and monitored in line with the relevant NICE guidance
- We will work in partnership with people with a learning disability, autism or both, their families, care teams, healthcare professionals, commissioners and others to stop over medication.
#stompoz is a critical approach to stop the over-medication of people with intellectual disability where some medications are prescribed for purposes for which they are not licenced. This leads to a range of cyclical problems for the person that end up as potentially avoidable health outcomes. #stompoz is an innovative and cost-effective approach that should be supported by all disability services, health practitioners, and government.
The Professional Association of Nurses in Developmental Disability, Australia (PANDDA) Inc, wholeheartedly supports the approach the #stompoz is taking toward solving this problem.
“The use of psychotropic medications in the absence of informed consent is something that worries us all and legislation across Australia varies in its coverage and application.
A stronger understanding of these issues can be gained from informed discussion involving everyone involved #stompoz.”
“Over medication of people with a disability is a long-term and serious issue; we entirely support this movement to cease over medication, and in turn, significantly improve the health and livelihood of people with a disability.”
“The elimination of restrictive practices in a broad range of settings is an increasingly urgent priority. #STOMPOZ promises to be the next step in effective collaboration towards this crucial goal, bringing together cutting edge evidence and national and international expertise to boost practice in Australia. Join.”
“The over-medication of people with disability is a serious issue that can have negative consequences for individuals, including physical harm, reduced quality of life, and decreased independence.
Every person with a disability has the right to receive appropriate medical care that is tailored to their individual needs and preferences, including the right to receive medication when it is necessary and appropriate, but also the right to be free from unnecessary or excessive medication.
We are committed to working with healthcare providers, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities to promote safe and effective medication practices. This includes advocating for alternatives to medication, such as behavioral interventions and non-pharmacological treatments, whenever possible.
Education and awareness-raising around the issue of over-medication is crucial and we are committed to providing information and resources to individuals with disabilities, their families, and healthcare providers to help them make informed decisions about medication use.
We believe that stopping the over-medication of people with disability is a critical issue that requires our attention and action. We are committed to promoting safe and effective medication practices, advocating for alternatives to medication, and raising awareness about this important issue.”
“Until the transition to the NDIS, the most commonly used restrictive practice in Queensland was chemical restraint, the administration of psychotropic medication for the sole purpose of behaviour control. Through it’s training programs, best practice resources and support for the implementation of positive behaviour supports, the Centre of Excellence’s monitoring of the use of restrictive practices demonstrated that the use of medication for behaviour control was decreased. The issue of primary importance is not a consideration of whether or not the use of a medication is for “chemical restraint”, but instead, it is recognising that the use of psychotropic medications for people with disabilities and challenging behaviours is not an effective behaviour support intervention and should only be used where best practices for behaviour supports are in place, and within a multi-disciplinary team and multicomponent approach.”
“While the use of psychotropic medications is common and sometimes beneficial to people with developmental disability, care needs to be taken to minimise the risks associated with this, particularly when they are used off-label. The STOMP approach is an established framework for reviewing medications and optimising quality of life, and the #stompoz training is warmly welcomed.”
“Some people with intellectual disability benefit from medication to address serious physical and mental health conditions. However, prescription of such medication needs to be on the basis of careful assessment, accurate diagnosis, and accompanied by regular monitoring and review. The use of medication to simply manage or control behaviour in the absence of a comprehensive behaviour support plan is clinically dangerous and breach of people’s rights. The “stompoz initiative” is an important way forward to safeguard the rights and improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life of people with intellectual disability.”
Existing resources and current projects
Evidence Reviews
- Cochrane review of research on organisational interventions to reduce the use of restrictive practices and behaviours of concern in people with intellectual or developmental disability. Click HERE
- Evidence summaries of research on the effectiveness and harms of pharmacological interventions to manage behaviours of concern in people with autism. Click HERE
Practice Guidelines
- Practice Alerts including topics relating to the risks of polypharmacy and use of medications. Click HERE
- Practice guide outlining the five types of regulated restrictive practices and evidence-based practice advice to reduce and eliminate restrictive practices. Click HERE
- Practice guide on regulated restrictive practices with children and young people with disability. Click HERE
- Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN)‘s mission is to improve health policy, practice, and supports for people with an intellectual or developmental disability, with a focus on mental health and wellbeing. Click HERE
Education & Engagement
- Implementation of the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Click HERE
- TelePBS resources to support the delivery of positive behaviour support via telepractice (grant). Click HERE
- The SPECTROM Project – Short-term Psycho-Education for Carers to Reduce Over Medication of people with intellectual disabilities (SPECTROM). Click HERE