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2 - Mental health assessment and monitoring tools for people with intellectual disabilities

from Part I - Assessment and diagnosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 December 2009

By
Caroline Mohr  and
Helen Costello
Edited by
Nick Bouras  and
Geraldine Holt
Caroline Mohr
Affiliation:
Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Helen Costello
Affiliation:
Senior Researcher, King's College London
Nick Bouras
Affiliation:
King's College London
Geraldine Holt
Affiliation:
King's College London
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Summary

Introduction

Assessing the presence of mental health problems in individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) is a complex process. Increased clinical and research attention in recent years has resulted in the development of a range of assessment instruments aimed at improving the identification and diagnosis of psychiatric and behavioural disorders in this population. The routine use of valid and reliable assessment and monitoring tools may make a significant contribution to improving the quality of care. Yet, currently there is no consensus about which assessment instruments should be used.

The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the characteristics and psychometric properties of what the authors consider to be the best available assessment and monitoring tools. The chapter describes the approaches employed for the development of assessment instruments, describes the key features of six checklists and rating scales and summarizes evidence about their validity and reliability. In doing so, the strengths and limitations of available assessment instruments are highlighted, and recommendations for using assessment and monitoring tools are made.

Developing assessment and monitoring tools

While the precise function of instruments may vary, the central aim of assessment and monitoring tools is to increase the validity and reliability with which the presence and severity of the signs, or symptoms, of mental health problems are measured over a given period. Standardized instruments help to ensure that individuals referred to mental health services receive a comprehensive and objective assessment, less subject to factors such as ‘diagnostic overshadowing’ (Reiss et al., 1982) and variations in the opinions of individual carers and clinicians (Einfeld & Tonge, 1992).

Type
Chapter
Information
Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities , pp. 24 - 41
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2007

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