Validity of the mania subscale of the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped-II (DASH-II)

Abstract

We attempted to establish the internal consistency and validity of the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped-II (DASH-II) to screen for the presence of mania (bipolar disorder) in severely and profoundly mentally retarded adults, Subjects included 22 individuals residing in a large developmental center in Central Louisiana. The Mania subscale of the DASH-II was internally consistent. Additionally, the DASH-II could be used to accurately classify manic and control individuals. Specific items on the subscale were examined to identify those items most associated with a diagnosis of mania.

A study of cluster behavioral abnormalities in down syndrome

“…The mania rating scale items of the DASH II screening instrument for individuals with learning disabilities (restless or agitated, decreased need for sleep, irritable, easily distracted, extremely happy or cheerful for no obvious reason, talks loudly and quickly) show good internal correlation and speciÞ city with the mania DSM-IV. [16] Somatic symptoms and their behavioral correlate, e.g., changes in energy and activity levels, sleep and appetite changes and social withdrawal is suggestive of affective disorders. [17] Regression to increased dependency, psychomotor agitation, increased irritability, worsening of already existing behavioral problems, aggressive and selfinjurious behavior, reduced communication and social isolation are more common among people with intellectual disability.…”

“…[17] Regression to increased dependency, psychomotor agitation, increased irritability, worsening of already existing behavioral problems, aggressive and selfinjurious behavior, reduced communication and social isolation are more common among people with intellectual disability. [16] The DASH scale was used to assess 506 intellectually disabled individuals (247 female and 259 male). Elimination and pervasive developmental disorders were found to be most frequent and self-injurious behavior disorders were most severe.…”

The assessment of mood in adults who have severe or profound mental retardation

“…Internal consistency on the depression subscale of the DASH-II is slightly higher, 0.53, Paclawskyj, Matson, Bamburg & Baglio, 1997). Inter-rater reliability calculations (Matson, 1995) for frequency, duration and severity respectively. Hence, Kappa values for both inter-rater and test-retest reliability on the depression subscale are poor, since Kappa values need to be at least 0.60 to be viewed as indicating good agreement (Everitt, 1996).…”

“…Moreover, the usefulness of the mini PAS-ADD for people with severe and profound mental retardation appears limited by items which would be difficult or impossible to rate because some level of verbal communication is required, e.g. "repeating words" or "loss of self- The only measure specifically designed for evaluating emotional and behavioral disturbance in people with severe and profound mental retardation is the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped II (Matson, 1995), a revised edition of the DASH (Matson, Gardner, Coe & Sovner, 1991). This aims to assess the frequency, duration and severity of symptoms relating to thirteen diagnostic categories based on DSM-III-R and consists of an interview with an informant.…”

Treatments for the Challenging Behaviours of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

“…A host of problems occur at high rates for people with IDs, including epilepsy, major social and communication deficits, comorbid psychopathology, and CBs. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Some of the most serious and frequently studied CBs include aggression, pica (eating inedible objects), SIB, property destruction, and rumination. [9][10][11] Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals are expected to be knowledgeable about these problems, and how to effectively treat them.…”