Adaptation and psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS).
The Spanish SIS is now a validated tool for measuring support needs in Spanish-speaking adults with intellectual disability.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team translated the Supports Intensity Scale into Spanish.
They tested it with 885 adults who have intellectual disability across Spain.
They checked if the Spanish version gave the same results each time and truly measured support needs.
What they found
The Spanish SIS works well.
It gives consistent scores when different people rate the same person.
The questions truly capture how much support someone needs in daily life.
How this fits with other research
Chou et al. (2013) later showed the SIS also works for deciding who gets funding in Taiwan.
Rispoli et al. (2011) found the Dutch SIS is reliable for adults with physical disabilities, but the scores don't match real-world skills as closely.
These studies together show the SIS works across languages and disability types, though the Spanish version appears strongest for intellectual disability specifically.
Why it matters
You can now use the Spanish SIS with confidence when working with Spanish-speaking clients. The tool has proven reliability and validity, making it easier to justify support recommendations to families and funders.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
The Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) is used to determine the profile and intensity of the supports needed by a person to participate successfully in major life activities. With its publication into 13 languages, a need has arisen to document its reliability and validity across language and cultural groups. Here we explain the adaptation and the validation process of the SIS on a Spanish sample of 885 people with intellectual disability. Results of the study are discussed in terms of the reliability and validity of the SIS on the Spanish sample and its efficacy for multiple uses in Spain.
American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilities, 2010 · doi:10.1352/1944-7558-115.6.496