Alertness in Individuals With Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities: A Literature Review
Research in Developmental Disabilities
Munde, V. S., Vlaskamp, C., et al. (2009).
Research in Developmental Disabilities, 30(3), 462-480.
This literature review investigates observation methods employed to determine alertness levels and environmental conditions related to alertness in individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. This summary highlights conclusions regarding the assessments used to determine alertness levels.
Not stated
January 1993-December 2007
Published, peer-reviewed studies (not further specified)
42
A number of observation scales were described in the literature measuring various aspects of alertness (e.g., attention, responsiveness, behavior state, engagement) in individuals with profound intellectual disability. However the authors concluded that the reliability of the observation measures was poor. Further research is needed to develop an instrument to observe alertness for this population.
