ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The behavioural function of handmouthing has been assessed across various studies utilising analogue functional analyses. The aim of the current study was to expand upon research on this relatively understudied behaviour by examining the relationship between handmouthing and Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD), and the potential variables maintaining this challenging behaviour in 30 individuals with intellectual disability. METHOD: First, the relationship of GERD to handmouthing was examined. Second, the behavioural function of handmouthing was assessed with an indirect functional assessment, the Questions About Behavioral Function (QABF). RESULTS: We found that a diagnosis of GERD was present with greater frequency among individuals with handmouthing than among matched peers who did not engage in handmouthing. Non-social reinforcement was most frequently endorsed as a behavioural function of this challenging behaviour. DISCUSSION: Although individuals with handmouthing exhibited more GERD than those who did not handmouth, the findings suggest that handmouthing was most often maintained by non-social reinforcement. The importance of utilising functional assessment methodology for the assessment and treatment of handmouthing is discussed.
Subject(s)
Hand/physiology , Intellectual Disability/epidemiology , Movement/physiology , Psychomotor Agitation/diagnosis , Psychomotor Agitation/epidemiology , Adult , Comorbidity , Female , Gastroesophageal Reflux/diagnosis , Gastroesophageal Reflux/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Mouth , Prevalence , Psychomotor Agitation/psychology , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
The use of anti-epileptic medications (AEDs) is much higher in individuals with intellectual disabilities than in the general population. As many of these individuals rely on such medications, clinicians should consider psychometrically sound instruments for assessing adverse side effects of these medications as one aspect of routine clinical practice. The Scale for the Evaluation and Identification of Seizures, Epilepsy, and Anticonvulsant Side Effects-B (SEIZES B) was developed as a means to identify side effects specific to AEDs. The authors conducted a preliminary evaluation of the inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the SEIZES B on an adult population with developmental disabilities. The SEIZES B had moderately high stability across raters and adequate stability over time. Implications of these data for future research and practice are discussed.
Subject(s)
Anticonvulsants/adverse effects , Epilepsy/diagnosis , Epilepsy/drug therapy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Epilepsy/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Intellectual Disability/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Observer Variation , Reproducibility of Results , Seizures/diagnosis , Seizures/drug therapy , Seizures/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Social skills deficits and excesses are a defining aspect of mental retardation (MR). Research indicates that there is an established relationship between social skills and maladaptive behaviors. A number of studies demonstrate that the social competence of individuals with MR and comorbid psychopathology can be enhanced with social skills training. However, to design an effective training package, an accurate assessment of adaptive and social functioning must first be conducted. Unique problems arise when assessing social skills in individuals with severe and profound MR (i.e., individuals often have limited verbal repertoires). Thus, a clinician must often rely on observable behavior and caregiver report rather than self-report. The three most common methods for assessing social skills are behavioral observations, role-playing, and checklists. These assessment strategies will be discussed, as well as suggestions for future research.
