Disability Evaluation in Mental Retardation Using WHODAS 2.0 in a Clinical Setting

Abstract

Introduction: According to the Census of India 2011, there are 1.5 million persons with intellectual disability (ID) or mental retardation in India.ID - a condition of arrested or incomplete development of mind- affects the person’s ability to perform activities in their daily life. For clinicians in government institutions evaluation and certification of disability for various purposes is essential. Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate disability in mental retardation in a clinical setting using WHODAS 2.0.Method:The study employs a multiple group (Group 1: adolescents with mental retardation, Group 2: adolescents with borderline intellectual functioning and Group 3: adolescents with average Intelligence), correlational research design using purposive sampling technique.120 adolescents and their primary care givers meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria are recruited from the Department of Clinical Psychology, AIISH. Initially, the participants are screened using Vineland Social Maturity Scale (Social Maturity), Diagnostic Criteria for Malingering (Malingering), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (Psychopathology). Later they are assessed using WHO Disability Assessment Schedule and Assessment of Disability in Persons with Mental Retardation (Disability) and Binet Kamat Intelligence Test (Intelligence). Results and Conclusion: The results are instrumental in quantifying disability to issue certificate or legal, administrative and welfare purposes. Further, the results are helpful in determining the kind and level of remedial measures.