General Measurement Tools for Assessing Mental Health Problems Among Children and Adolescents with an Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review.

The review did not assess the methodological quality of the included studies. It did not evaluate the norms for the instruments. Most samples had borderline to moderate intellectual disability, so the results do not show how well the tools work for severe or profound intellectual disability. Many studies defined intellectual disability administratively, such as school placement, rather than with formal IQ or adaptive testing. Because of this, some participants may not have met a formal intellectual disability diagnosis. Self-report evidence was limited, mainly in mild intellectual disability, and was not confirmed by supporting studies. Several instruments were evaluated by researchers who developed them. The review focused on general mental health measures and excluded neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and intellectual disability itself.

The supplied text reports funding from Helse Nord RHF and UiT The Arctic University of Norway, including the University Hospital of North Norway. It does not provide an additional conflicts of interest statement.

Do not conclude that any general mental health questionnaire is ready to use for all children with intellectual disability. The review found limited evidence for severe or profound intellectual disability, limited self-report evidence, and many measures were proxy reports.