Development and validation of a functional screening tool for adults with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Background The dynamic nature of intellectual disability necessitates repeated screening. Method The functional screening tool (FST‐ID) for individuals with intellectual disabilities was carefully constructed. Results The FST‐ID General Adaptive Composite score (GAC) runs between 0 and 68 points. Criterion validity—high‐positive correlations were found between FST‐ID and ABAS‐II (Gold standard), and between the severity of the intellectual disability and the FST‐ID (r = 0.78, p < .001). The scale holds high‐internal consistency and intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability values. The cut‐off point between mild and moderate disability is 50.4 (Sensitivity: 87%, Specificity 86%, p < .001) and 29.4 between moderate to severe‐profound (Sensitivity: 96%, Specificity 94%, p < .001). Conclusions The FST‐ID presents high‐psychometric properties and requires less than 5 min to complete. Using this tool may support efficient screening practices and improved supports for adults with intellectual disability.

A New Screening Tool for Rapid Diagnosis of Functional and Environmental Factors Influencing Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

“…Functional abilities include three main domains according to the accepted definitions: conceptual (communication and academic skills), practical (independent and everyday life skills), and social (social and interpersonal abilities) [ 2 , 9 , 10 ]. Individuals with ID, especially those diagnosed at the severe/profound (S/P) levels, who lack appropriate assessment tools tailored to their unique and numerous communicational, physical, and social accessibility needs [ 4 , 11 ], are generally at a high risk for functional and health-related problems.…”

“…Individuals with ID, especially those diagnosed at the severe/profound (S/P) levels, who lack appropriate assessment tools tailored to their unique and numerous communicational, physical, and social accessibility needs [ 4 , 11 ], are generally at a high risk for functional and health-related problems. Although this population presents excess healthcare needs compared to the general population, they have limited access to regular healthcare services [ 2 , 10 , 12 , 13 ]. These predicaments lead to inequality in healthcare, impact the quality of life of the individual with ID, and burden direct service providers (DSP) [ 14 ].…”

“…These predicaments lead to inequality in healthcare, impact the quality of life of the individual with ID, and burden direct service providers (DSP) [ 14 ]. When considering the assessment of the functional abilities of individuals, DSPs can recognize even small changes in their service recipients due to their daily and consistent interaction with these individuals [ 2 , 10 , 12 , 15 ]. Therefore, the need to consult with DSP when assessing and introducing therapeutic changes [ 10 , 16 ] by using appropriate data collecting tools is recognized.…”

“…The Adaptive Behavior Assessment System—Second Edition (ABAS-II) [ 27 ] was translated into Hebrew and found to be valid and reliable to use with individuals with IDs [ 28 ]. However, the shortcoming of this instrument lies in its large number of items [ 2 , 10 ]. The ABAS-II is also the official diagnostic tool of the Disabilities Administration at the Ministry of Welfare and Social Services [ 29 ].…”

“…The ABAS-II is also the official diagnostic tool of the Disabilities Administration at the Ministry of Welfare and Social Services [ 29 ]. Therefore, all the service recipients enrolled within the facility have an official ABAS-II adult version evaluation in their medical files ID (for more details, see [ 10 ]).…”