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Research ArticleRegular Article

Reasonable Accommodations for Meeting the Unique Needs of Defendants with Intellectual Disability

Mary Elizabeth Wood, Katherine M. Lawson, Jaime L. Anderson, Dominique I. Kinney, Stephen Nitch and David M. Glassmire
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online June 2019, JAAPL.003855-19; DOI: https://doi.org/10.29158/JAAPL.003855-19
Mary Elizabeth Wood
Dr. Wood is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN. Ms. Lawson is a graduate student, Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis. Dr. Anderson is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX. Drs. Kinney and Nitch are Neuropsychologist Supervisors, Department of Psychology, Patton State Hospital, San Bernardino, CA. Dr. Glassmire is Psychology Training Director, Department of Psychology, Patton State Hospital.
PhD
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Katherine M. Lawson
Dr. Wood is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN. Ms. Lawson is a graduate student, Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis. Dr. Anderson is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX. Drs. Kinney and Nitch are Neuropsychologist Supervisors, Department of Psychology, Patton State Hospital, San Bernardino, CA. Dr. Glassmire is Psychology Training Director, Department of Psychology, Patton State Hospital.
BA
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Jaime L. Anderson
Dr. Wood is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN. Ms. Lawson is a graduate student, Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis. Dr. Anderson is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX. Drs. Kinney and Nitch are Neuropsychologist Supervisors, Department of Psychology, Patton State Hospital, San Bernardino, CA. Dr. Glassmire is Psychology Training Director, Department of Psychology, Patton State Hospital.
PhD
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Dominique I. Kinney
Dr. Wood is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN. Ms. Lawson is a graduate student, Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis. Dr. Anderson is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX. Drs. Kinney and Nitch are Neuropsychologist Supervisors, Department of Psychology, Patton State Hospital, San Bernardino, CA. Dr. Glassmire is Psychology Training Director, Department of Psychology, Patton State Hospital.
PhD
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Stephen Nitch
Dr. Wood is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN. Ms. Lawson is a graduate student, Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis. Dr. Anderson is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX. Drs. Kinney and Nitch are Neuropsychologist Supervisors, Department of Psychology, Patton State Hospital, San Bernardino, CA. Dr. Glassmire is Psychology Training Director, Department of Psychology, Patton State Hospital.
PhD, ABPP
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David M. Glassmire
Dr. Wood is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN. Ms. Lawson is a graduate student, Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis. Dr. Anderson is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX. Drs. Kinney and Nitch are Neuropsychologist Supervisors, Department of Psychology, Patton State Hospital, San Bernardino, CA. Dr. Glassmire is Psychology Training Director, Department of Psychology, Patton State Hospital.
PhD, ABPP
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    Table 1

    Recommendations for Interviewing and Providing Treatment for Individuals with ID

    Use simple language.
    Speak slowly, clearly, and calmly.
    Use concrete terms and ideas.
    Avoid questions that give part of the answer within the question (leading questions).
    Ask open-ended questions, as relying on yes–no responses may lead to the assumption that the individual understood the answer when they may not have understood the question.29
    Repeat questions from different perspectives to avoid parroting.
    Proceed slowly, and provide praise and encouragement.
    Avoid frustrating questions about time, complex sequences, or reasons for behavior.
    Highlight important information to improve memory retention.
    Repeat information to improve retention.
    Cut down on distractions.
    If a response is ineffective or inappropriate, provide direct, explicit feedback.
    Be careful not to provide nonverbal cues that may aid in responding accurately.
    Take short breaks, as individuals learn best with multiple, short sessions rather than a few, long sessions.
    • These recommendations were derived from the Slater method.28

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Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online: 53 (1)
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
Vol. 53, Issue 1
1 Mar 2025
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Reasonable Accommodations for Meeting the Unique Needs of Defendants with Intellectual Disability
Mary Elizabeth Wood, Katherine M. Lawson, Jaime L. Anderson, Dominique I. Kinney, Stephen Nitch, David M. Glassmire
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online Jun 2019, JAAPL.003855-19; DOI: 10.29158/JAAPL.003855-19

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Reasonable Accommodations for Meeting the Unique Needs of Defendants with Intellectual Disability
Mary Elizabeth Wood, Katherine M. Lawson, Jaime L. Anderson, Dominique I. Kinney, Stephen Nitch, David M. Glassmire
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online Jun 2019, JAAPL.003855-19; DOI: 10.29158/JAAPL.003855-19
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  • Article
    • Abstract
    • ID and the Adjudicative Process
    • ID and Competence to Stand Trial
    • Reasonable Accommodations
    • Considerations Regarding Assessment
    • Treatment Considerations
    • Considerations Regarding the Trial Process
    • Flexibility of the Standard
    • Summary and Conclusions
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    • References
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