Abstract
This study describes the validity and the sensitivity and specificity of depression screening tools among adults with intellectual and disabilities (ID). Subjects (N = 75) were interviewed with the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) and the Glasgow Depression Scale for People with a Learning Disability (GDS-LD) and also completed a clinical interview with the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with Developmental Disabilities 10 (PAS-ADD 10). Comparing screening results to clinical interview, the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve of the BDI-II is 0.90 and of the GDS-LD is 0.90. The sensitivity for the BDI-II is 89% and specificity 82% (score = 11). The sensitivity of the GDS-LD is 89% and specificity 82% (score = 13). Sensitivity and specificity are sufficient to identify individuals with ID who need depression treatment referral and who are suitable to participate in depression intervention research.