The characteristic evaluation method for developmental disabilities developed by Associate Professor Yasuko Funabiki of the Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University has been covered by insurance since April.It is an evaluation scale that makes it possible to visually understand the characteristics of people with developmental disabilities by emphasizing the needs in daily life, and it is expected that it will be used in general medical care and nursing by applying medical insurance.
According to Kyoto University, this evaluation method is shown on a radar chart so that not only the parties concerned but also various supporters in different positions such as families and teachers can visually understand individual differences in developmental disabilities.The displayed elements are 14 items such as commitment, sleep rhythm, repetitive behavior, and communication, and each is evaluated on a 5-point scale.
In order to understand individual differences, not only one-sided evaluation by experts but also an index of how troubled the person is is required.For this reason, the evaluation is conducted jointly by doctors, psychologists, and the individuals themselves, and is mainly carried out by listening to their life history.By using this evaluation method, supporters can have a common understanding of what kind of support the person needs in what kind of life.As a result, it can be expected to speed up support and prevent secondary disorders such as depression and neurosis.
Support for developmental disabilities has been improved since the enactment of the Developmental Disability Support Law in 2004.However, due to the large individual differences in developmental disabilities, trial and error continues in individual responses.Many of the evaluation methods so far have emphasized diagnosis, and it has not been possible to comprehensively evaluate what is necessary at the site of support.
