title: Validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the diagnostic assessment for the severely handicapped (DASH-II).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The DASH-II scale is a specific instrument for measuring psychopathological symptoms in people with severe and profound intellectual disability (ID). The aim of the study is the validation of the Spanish version, evaluating its reliability and validity. At the same time we examine the prevalence of mental disorders in our sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two reviewers independently passed the Spanish version of the DASH-II (DASH-II-S) to 83 users to establish inter-rater reliability. To assess inter-rater reliability or test-retest reliability, fifty participants were reassessed by the same rater within 7 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DASH-II-S showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.879) and good reliability, both intra and inter-rater reliability. The prevalence of psychopathology in the sample is 94%, and the use of psychotropic drugs is also high, with 61.4% receiving one or more antipsychotics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DASH-II-S is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used for the assessment of psychopathology in people with ID. The translated version retains the psychometric properties of the original English version. Moreover, the high prevalence of mental disorders in this population may explain the widespread use of psychotropic drugs, but it forces us to continuous reassessment and justification.
authors.affiliation: Benito Menni Complex Assistencial en Salut Mental, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain. Electronic address: cvargas@hospitalbenitomenni.org.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vargas-Vargas
authors.affiliation: Centre Psicopedagògic Mare de Déu de Montserrat, Caldes de Malavella, Spain.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rafanell
authors.affiliation: Benito Menni Complex Assistencial en Salut Mental, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain.
authors.forename: Dúnia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Montalvo
authors.affiliation: Centre Psicopedagògic Mare de Déu de Montserrat, Caldes de Malavella, Spain.
authors.forename: Montse
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Estarlich
authors.affiliation: FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain; CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pomarol-Clotet
authors.affiliation: FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain; CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarró
keywords: Assessment; Comorbidity; Intellectual disability; Prevalence; Rating scale; Validation