Strengths of Previous Work and Future Challenges

Abstract

The dementia tests and scales described in previous chapters are an impressive representation of work conducted to improve dementia diagnosis in adults with intellectual disability (ID). In this chapter, the strengths of work represented in this book and new issues that have arisen since the first edition of this book are discussed. Anticipated future challenges are also delineated. The discussion of strengths is not intended to be exhaustive. Instead, the following highlights and related future challenges will be considered: identification of onset of decline, differential diagnosis, monitoring progression, breadth of functional areas assessed within and across instruments, modified administration and scoring techniques, and scale evaluation methods. New issues include: evaluation criteria for tools used at different stages of practice, changes in validated scales, baseline definition/documentation, mild neurocognitive disorder in adults with ID, and collaboration among clinicians/researchers. Additional general challenges faced by clinicians and researchers involved in dementia assessment include longitudinal research methods, multidisciplinary expertise, and funding.