Screening and diagnostic assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders in a male prison
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour
ISSN: 2050-8824
Article publication date: 9 June 2015
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify neurodevelopmental disorders and difficulties (NDD) in a male prison. The study used standardised tools to carry out screening and diagnostic assessment of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID).
Design/methodology/approach
The ADHD self-report scale, 20-item autism quotient and the Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire were used to screen 240 male prisoners. Prisoners who screened positive on one or more of these scales or self-reported a diagnosis of ADHD, ASD or ID were further assessed using the diagnostic interview for ADHD in adults, adapted Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and the Quick Test.
Findings
Of the 87 prisoners who screened positive for NDD and were further assessed, 70 met the study’s diagnostic criteria for ADHD, ASD or ID. Most of those with NDD (51 per cent) had previously gone unrecognised and a high proportion (51 per cent) were identified through staff- or self-referral to the study.
Originality/value
The study demonstrated that improving awareness and providing access to skilled, standardised assessment within a male prison can result in increased recognition and identification of NDD.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study was funded by grants from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity (Grant Reference No. G101019) and St Andrew’s Healthcare, Northampton, UK.
Citation
McCarthy, J., Chaplin, E., Underwood, L., Forrester, A., Hayward, H., Sabet, J., Young, S., Asherson, P., Mills, R. and Murphy, D. (2015), "Screening and diagnostic assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders in a male prison", Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, Vol. 6 No. 2, pp. 102-111. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIDOB-08-2015-0018
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited