Assessing Psychopathology in Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Individuals with developmental disabilities are at high risk for developing mental health problems. The prevalence of psychopathology is approximately 4 times higher than that found in the general population. Yet there is a tendency to underdiagnose psychiatric disorders in the developmentally delayed population because of diagnostic overshadowing, the lack of appropriate diagnostic criteria, and the paucity of appropriate assessment measures. Over the past decade, there has been an emergence of scales developed specifically to screen for psychopathology in individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition, advancements have been made in observation techniques, thus facilitating the ability to objectively observe behaviors often described as internal events. A description of a multimethod approach to assessing psychopathology in individuals with developmental disabilities is provided incorporating the recent advancements in the field, as well as suggestions for future research.

Neurobehavioral disorders in children, adolescents, and young adults with Down syndrome

“…In contrast, behaviors which result in significant impairment in learning or socialization or any dangerous behavior are a cause for concern at any age. [Dykens, 2000;Rush et al, 2004]. One of the most widely used instruments for the assessment of persons with cognitive impairment and maladaptive behavior is the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) [Aman et al, 1985].…”

Psychotropic Medication Adherence among Community-Based Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Mental Illness

“…Mental health problems in the DD population often go unrecognized and undertreated due to communication issues (Rush, Bowman, Eidman, Toole, & Mortenson, 2004;Valk & Walsh, 2008), masked symptoms (Valk & Walsh, 2008), and inadequacies within the diagnostic system (Rush et al, 2004). Nevertheless, researchers have found that 31-41% of the DD population also suffers from mental illness (Einfeld et al, 2006;Tonge & Einfeld, 2000), a prevalence about 4 times higher than that of the general non-DD population (Koller, Richardson, Katz, & McLaren, 1982;Tonge & Einfeld, 2000).…”

Validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the diagnostic assessment for the severely handicapped (DASH-II)

“…four to five times higher than in the general population (Rush, Bowman, Eidman, Toole, & Mortenson, 2004). Autism, selfinjurious behaviours, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression and psychosis are very frequent .…”