These tools help health care clinicians in implementing the recommendations from the 2018 Canadian consensus guidelines on the primary care of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities into clinical practice.

The tools in this section are recommended in the Mental Health section of the guidelines. They provide a systematic approach to assessing and addressing mental health needs. The tools encourage health care clinicians to consider factors contributing to emotional and behavioral distress, i.e., screen for health problems, environmental factors, and life events, particularly trauma. Use of the practice tools and the clinical pathway outlined in “Initial Management of a Behavioral Crisis” may help prevent escalation of serious emotional and behavioral distress and mental health problems.

Tools in this section have been updated from tools developed in 2011 by the Developmental Disabilities Primary Care Initiative, a group of clinicians and experts with experience in caring for adults with IDD. The tools are based on research evidence, as well as clinical knowledge and expertise. Updated and new tools (2023) were revised and developed specifically with a trauma-informed care perspective.

We are continuously interested in learning how these tools work in practice. For suggestions and feedback, please contact us at iddtoolkit@vumc.org.