How does the DITS-SID work?
DITS-SID stands for Diagnostic Interview Trauma and Stressors – Severe Intellectual Disability. The DITS-SID is administered to an informant who knows the individual well, such as a relative or professional caregiver.
The interview consists of three parts:
- a section assessing potentially traumatic and other stressful life events, which are placed on a timeline;
- a section assessing symptoms that developed as a result of these events;
- the interference score: the extent to which the experienced events interfere with the individual’s daily functioning.
If trauma treatment is recommended based on the outcomes of the DITS-SID, the timeline can serve as the basis for treatment.
Who can use the DITS-SID
The DITS-SID can be used by professionals with diagnostic qualifications and knowledge of psychopathology.
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All documents can be downloaded free of charge. To request the download, please complete the form. We ask for your name and contact details so that we can inform you about relevant developments, such as updates to the documents.
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Completion of the accompanying DITS-SID training is strongly recommended before using the instrument.
Recognising the signs of PTSD
An infographic presents signs of PTSD in individuals with severe or moderate intellectual disabilities. It helps relatives and support staff identify what to look for when trauma-related symptoms are suspected.
Download the infographic (pdf),
DITS-SID Training
It is important that interviewers have completed training in administering the interview, or administer it under the supervision of a trained and experienced interviewer who provides feedback. Administering the interview efficiently and according to the guidelines requires practice.
