This diagnostic aid has been developed to identify dementia-related changes in people with severe/profound intellectual (and multiple) disabilities (abbreviated as SPI(M)D) and it can be used in the diagnostic process. The results of the diagnostic aid only are not sufficient to make a diagnosis. Changes can also be caused by other conditions with dementia-like symptoms. These potential differential diagnoses must be ruled out.
The diagnostic aid is available as a PDF, which you can download for free.
The diagnostic aid consists of two parts.
- The first part asks general information about the interviewer, informant(s), and the person with SPI(M)D.
- The second part contains 42 items on dementia-related changes, categorized into seven symptom domains.
For each item, it is asked whether a change has been observed in the last six months compared to the typical/characteristic functioning or behaviour. This refers to the functioning or behaviour that is typical of the person and that they have exhibited during adult life before deterioration occurred.
- Changes in cognition
- Changes in language and speech
- Behavioural changes
- Changes in eating and drinking
- Changes in personal care
- Changes in motor skills
- Additional health problems