The PAS-ADD system is a family of assessments that has gained worldwide recognition for its contribution to improving the mental health assessment of people with intellectual disability (ID). Although the initial impetus for developing the system was for the particular needs of people with ID, the PAS-ADD assessments are equally valid for the general population. They are particularly valuable in situations where the person has more limited language skills. They are also excellent for use in research projects demanding high quality data on symptoms. The Mini PAS-ADD was initially developed in recognition of the fact that many health and social service professionals have detailed knowledge of the client, but may not have a formal background in psychiatry or psychology. The Mini PAS-ADD provides a clinical glossary that includes examples of each symptom at various levels of severity. This glossary enables highly reliable estimates of symptoms to be made. The interview also has questions to guide the interviewer in asking about the symptoms. Newly revised and fully updated to be compliant with both ICD-10 and DSM-5, the Mini PAS-ADD covers a range of common mental health problems. There are sections on anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and psychosis, as well as a screen for autism spectrum disorder. In addition, the Mini PAS-ADD includes a small constellation of symptoms that were identified in the original field trials as indicating the presence of an organic disorder. The Mini PAS-ADD is ideal for collecting crucial symptom information that subsequently becomes part of a wider case formulation, which may include, for example, information about the causes, associated behaviour problems and historical development of a disorder etc. In the 15 years between the development of the 1st version and this 3rd edition, the Mini PAS-ADD has become widely used around the world and has been translated into a variety of languages. During this period, the author trained several thousand people in the use of the PAS-ADD system, and the experience gained through this has led to the development of this current edition. One of the largest changes between the current and previous versions is the questioning. This version provides questions that are carefully worded to elicit the information that is required in order to distinguish between the different levels of severity. This should make interviewing easier to conduct, and even more reliable.
Steve Moss has worked for 40 years in disability research, initially in the field of visual impairment, and subsequently in the area of intellectual disability. He has an international reputation for his work in the field of mental health. His work on development of the PAS-ADD system (Psychiatric Assessment Schedules for Adults with Developmental Disabilities) is particularly well known, and these assessments are now used in many countries throughout the world. He is a member of the Estia Centre, King's College London.
