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.
Masson
J D
JD
Community Learning Disabilities Service, Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Cedarwood, Carleton Clinic, Carlisle, Cumbria, UK. john.masson@cumbria.nhs.uk
Dagnan
D
D
Evans
J
J
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