Assessing eating and swallowing in adults born with intellectual and motor disabilities: Face and content validity of a Swedish translation of the Dysphagia Assessment Package.

Waldron et al. (2023) checked if a Swedish form can spot swallowing problems in adults with ID and motor issues. They asked experts to judge the Dysphagia Assessment Package (DAP-SE) for clarity and fit.

The team looked at face validity (does it look useful?) and content validity (does it cover the right signs?). No new data were collected from clients; the work was a paper-and-expert review.

Experts agreed the Swedish DAP makes sense and covers the key signs of dysphagia. The tool is now labeled ready for everyday clinic use with this adult group.

Positive ratings held for both the checklist and the feeding observation parts.

Robertson et al. (2017) pooled 20 studies and showed swallowing issues are common in adults with severe ID and cerebral palsy. Waldron et al. (2023) give those same clients a practical way to screen.

Nuebling et al. (2024) and Anne-Harris et al. (2021) used the same face-and-content method to validate dementia screens in Down syndrome. The DAP-SE follows the same trusted recipe, just for dysphagia instead of memory loss.

Boudreau et al. (2015) listed clinical signs in toddlers with CP, while the new DAP-SE covers adults. Together they form a life-span map of swallowing red flags.

You now have a Swedish form that SLPs and BCBAs can both read. Use it during intake to spot clients who need a full swallow study. Early catches cut aspiration pneumonia and meal-time behavior bursts. Tape the one-page checklist inside the medical binder and train staff to score after every lunch observation.