IADL Ability Measured with the AMPS: Relation to two Classification Systems of Mental Retardation

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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) and two types of assessment of level of mental retardation. The subjects were 22 adults from the United States and 39 adults from Sweden, all diagnosed with mental retardation. The subjects in each group were divided into three subgroups according to their level of mental retardation. The level of mental retardation was determined according to established criteria used in each country. They were then assessed using the AMPS to evaluate motor and process (organizational and adaptive) skills necessary for competent IADL task performance. The results showed that different methods of determining the level of mental retardation showed patterns similar to motor and process skills. The correlations were strongest between the Swedish method of assessing level of mental retardation and the AMPS. The correlations were stronger between level of mental retardation and process skills in both the Swedish and US groups. The results indicate a relationship between level of mental retardation and IADL ability, despite differences in assessments of level of mental retardation. The study recommends the use of the AMPS as a valid and sensitive instrument of IADL ability in the development of intervention strategies in occupational therapy for persons with mental retardation. Further studies with the AMPS are suggested in order to evaluate IADL skills in this population.