Adaptation and validation of the Tower of London test of planning and problem solving in people with intellectual disabilities.
BACKGROUND
There is a need for validated, standardised tools for the assessment of executive functions in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). This study examines the validity of a test of planning and problem solving (Tower of London) with adults with ID.


METHODS
Participants completed an adapted version of the Tower of London (ToL) while day-centre staff completed adaptive function (Adaptive Behaviour Scale - Residential and Community: Second Edition, modified version) and dysexecutive function (DEX-Independent Rater) questionnaires for each participant. Correlation analyses of test and questionnaire variables were undertaken.


RESULTS
The adapted ToL has a robust structure and shows significant associations with independent living skills, challenging behaviour and behaviours related to dysexecutive function.


CONCLUSIONS
The adapted ToL is a valid test for use with people with ID. However, there is also a need to develop other ecologically valid tools based on everyday planning tasks undertaken by people with ID.
Community Learning Disabilities Service, Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Cedarwood, Carleton Clinic, Carlisle, Cumbria, UK. john.masson@cumbria.nhs.uk
J D
JD
Masson
D
D
Dagnan
J
J
Evans
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D056344:Executive Function; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011340:Problem Solving; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D055815:Young Adult