Using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire with adults with Down syndrome.
A lightly tweaked SDQ can flag mental-health needs in adults with Down syndrome, but you still need clinical follow-up.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Glenn et al. (2013) tried a quick mood checklist on adults with Down syndrome.
They used the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, or SDQ. They made small wording changes so the questions fit adults.
A helper read the items aloud. The adult answered yes or no. Caregivers also filled out the same form.
What they found
The tweaked SDQ could tell the difference between adults who already had a mental-health diagnosis and those who did not.
It was not perfect. It missed some people who were ill and flagged some who were fine. So you still need a full clinical check.
How this fits with other research
Graves et al. (2016) later showed adults with Down syndrome can also self-report health quality of life with the SF-12v2. Together the two papers prove self-report is possible; you just need the right tool.
Sim et al. (2015) tested the same SDQ in toddlers. It worked there too, but with lots of false alarms. The pattern is the same: SDQ helps spot risk, never gives a final answer.
Anonymous (2024) built a web survey for crisis settings. Their tool adds branching logic and caregiver input. It extends Sheila’s idea into urgent care, showing the field is moving toward quick, tech-aided screens.
Why it matters
You now have a five-minute screener for mood and behavior in adults with Down syndrome. Use it during intake, annual reviews, or when staff notice changes. Score it on the spot. If totals are high, refer on for full assessment. Do not rely on the score alone; treat it like a smoke alarm, not a diagnosis.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) has been widely used to screen typically developing children for mental health problems; in recent years it has also been used with children with intellectual disabilities. The present study investigated the possible use of the SDQ to screen adults with Down syndrome (DS). METHOD: Only four items on the SDQ were changed slightly to remove references to children. Parents or carers completed the SDQ and all 125 adults with DS (aged 18-43 years) were assessed for mental health problems by a psychiatrist. RESULTS: Twenty-eight adults were diagnosed with a psychiatric condition. Parents and carers found the SDQ easy to complete and liked the inclusion of positive behaviours. The SDQ did discriminate significantly between those with and without a diagnosis, however the sensitivity and specificity were insufficient. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses showed a four factor model (pro-social behaviour, emotional difficulties, hyperactivity and conduct disorders) to be the best solution. This structure was similar to previous research findings of three factors of pro-social behaviour, internalising disorders and externalising disorders. CONCLUSION: Construct validity and reliability suggest that the SDQ has potential for use with adults with DS and possibly those with other intellectual disabilities. The SDQ is user friendly for parents and carers, and did highlight behavioural and mental health needs, suggesting that it would be worthwhile to develop the SDQ specifically for adults with intellectual disability.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2013 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2013.06.034