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Guidance on the Assessment and Diagnosis of Intellectual Disabilities in Adulthood

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A document compiled by a Working Group of the British Psychological Society's Division of Clinical Psychology, Faculty for People with Intellectual Disabilities.

 

Contents

Executive Summary

Introduction

Section 1: Contexts

1.1 England and Wales   
1.2 Scotland   
1.3 Northern Ireland

Section 2: Defining intellectual disability

2.1 Significant impairment of intellectual functioning   
2.2 Significant impairment of adaptive behaviour   
2.3 Age of onset prior to adulthood   
2.4 Levels of intellectual disability

Section 3: Assessing intellectual disability

3.1 Gathering preliminary information   
3.2 Selecting appropriate assessment measures; Measures for the assessment of intellectual functioning; Measures for the assessment of adaptive behaviour   
3.3 Conducting an assessment; Factors in the assessment of intellectual functioning; Factors in the assessment of adaptive behaviour

Section 4: Interpreting the results of an assessment

4.1 Clinical judgement   
4.2 Significant impairment of intellectual functioning   
4.3 Significant impairment of adaptive behaviour   
4.4 Age of onset prior to adulthood   
4.5 Severe intellectual disability   
4.6 The need for concurrence of the three criteria

Section 5: Reporting on assessments

5.1 Identifying information   
5.2 Reason for referral   
5.3 Background information   
5.4 Appearance and behavioural observations   
5.5 Tests administered   
5.6 Test results and interpretation   
5.7 Summary, diagnostic impression and recommendations

Appendix 1: Intellectual disability and comparable terminology over the years

Appendix 2: The consultation process

References

 

Series:

SKU: PUB-CAT-1750

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