Understanding the nurse's role in identifying children with intellectual disability

Area of Science:

• Developmental Pediatrics
• Child Psychology
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Early diagnosis of intellectual disability (ID) is critical for timely intervention and support.
• Identifying children who require assessment for ID can be challenging for healthcare professionals.
• Effective screening tools are needed to facilitate early identification of ID in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe intellectual disability (ID) and the support needs of affected children.
• To introduce the Child and Adolescent Intellectual Disability Screening Questionnaire (CAIDS-Q) as a screening tool.
• To guide nursing staff in utilizing the CAIDS-Q for identifying children for formal ID assessment.

Main Methods:

• The article provides a descriptive overview of intellectual disability (ID).
• It outlines the support requirements for children with ID.
• It details the application of the Child and Adolescent Intellectual Disability Screening Questionnaire (CAIDS-Q) by nursing staff.

Main Results:

• The CAIDS-Q serves as a practical tool for nurses to identify children who may have an intellectual disability.
• Utilizing the CAIDS-Q can enhance the early detection of ID in children.
• Improved identification through the CAIDS-Q supports timely access to necessary services.

Conclusions:

• Nurses in various settings, including health visiting, school nursing, practice nursing, and pediatric clinics, can benefit from using the CAIDS-Q.
• The CAIDS-Q facilitates the early identification of children needing formal assessment for intellectual disability (ID).
• Enhanced screening capabilities can lead to more prompt and appropriate support for children with ID and their families.