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Details in tabular form - Nimhans Index

The NIMHANS Index for Specific Learning Disabilities (NIMHANS SLD Index) is a diagnostic tool developed by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in 1991, aimed at identifying Specific Learning Disabilities in children and adolescents. It assesses various skills such as reading, writing, and arithmetic, and is culturally relevant for Indian children. While it has established reliability and validity, it is primarily available in English and there is a need for tools in vernacular languages.

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140 views

Details in tabular form - Nimhans Index

The NIMHANS Index for Specific Learning Disabilities (NIMHANS SLD Index) is a diagnostic tool developed by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in 1991, aimed at identifying Specific Learning Disabilities in children and adolescents. It assesses various skills such as reading, writing, and arithmetic, and is culturally relevant for Indian children. While it has established reliability and validity, it is primarily available in English and there is a need for tools in vernacular languages.

Uploaded by

Lakshmisy
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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While there isn't a single, widely recognized "NIMHANS Index" specifically for general

mental disability, the NIMHANS Index for Specific Learning Disabilities (NIMHANS
SLD Index or NIMHANS SLD Battery) is a well-established tool. It's crucial to clarify
that this index focuses specifically on Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs), not
intellectual disability or other broader mental health conditions.

Here's a table outlining the details of the NIMHANS Index for Specific Learning
Disabilities:

Feature Details

Name NIMHANS Index for Specific Learning Disabilities (NIMHANS


SLD Index / NIMHANS SLD Battery)

Developed By National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences


(NIMHANS), Bangalore, India

Initial Development Year 1991

Purpose To diagnose and identify Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs)


in children, including difficulties in reading (dyslexia), writing
(dysgraphia), spelling, and arithmetic (dyscalculia). It helps
differentiate children with SLD from those without.

Age Range Primarily designed for children and adolescents, with


different levels for different age groups (e.g., Level I for 5-7
years, Level II for 8-12 years). Some studies have used it with
older adolescents as well.

Areas Assessed Level I (5-7 years): Attention, Visual Discrimination, Visual


Memory, Auditory Memory, Speech and Language, Visuo-
motor skills, and Writing Skills.1 <br> Level II (8-12 years):
Reading (basic reading skills, reading comprehension),
Writing, Spelling, and Arithmetic abilities.

Nature of the Tool Diagnostic tool, not a screening tool. It requires


administration by a trained professional (e.g., clinical
psychologist, special educator).

Scoring & Interpretation Performance is often compared to the child's current grade
level. A significant discrepancy (e.g., functioning at 3
standards below the current class) is often indicative of an
SLD. The battery provides information on specific areas of
difficulty.

Cultural Relevance Developed and standardized within the Indian context,


making it more culturally and linguistically appropriate for
Indian children compared to purely Western-based tools. It
considers the nuances of the Indian education system.

Reliability & Validity Studies have established acceptable reliability (test-retest,


inter-rater) and validity (criterion validity by comparing with
teacher and clinical ratings) for the NIMHANS SLD Index.

Limitations Primarily available in English. There's a recognized need for


SLD assessment tools in vernacular languages to cater to the
diverse linguistic landscape of India. Some studies note the
initial standardization sample size was relatively small.

Clinical Use Used for formal diagnosis of SLD, to understand the specific
academic challenges faced by a child, to aid in developing
appropriate educational interventions and remediation
strategies, and to provide necessary documentation for
availing benefits and accommodations.

Important Note: If you are looking for an index related to general mental disability
assessment from NIMHANS, there might be other tools or batteries developed by the
institution. However, based on the available information, the "NIMHANS Index" most
commonly referred to is the one specifically for Specific Learning Disabilities.

It's always recommended to consult the official NIMHANS publications and qualified
professionals for the most accurate and up-to-date information on their assessment
tools.

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