Pain Assessment and Management for Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Pain Assessment and Management for Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities

by Chantel Burkitt, Todd Dalberg

Life & Natural Systems Medicine & Health MKAAnaestheticsMKALPain and pain management
🎙 Chantel Burkitt, Todd Dalberg 👥 1.4M 📅 July 28, 2026 ⏱ 40 min 👁 218 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-08-03
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

paindevelopmental disabilitiesassessmentmanagementcerebral palsy

Summary

This presentation from the 2026 Developmental Disabilities Conference focuses on pain assessment and management for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Dr. Chantel Burkitt, a senior clinical scientist, begins by highlighting the high prevalence of chronic pain in this population, which is 2-3 times more common than in the general population, affecting up to 75% of patients. She emphasizes the importance of addressing procedural pain, as individuals with IDD often undergo more medical procedures and may have fewer coping skills, leading to potential trauma. Burkitt shares personal stories from families to illustrate the daily challenges of pain in nonverbal patients. She then introduces several pain assessment tools, including the Revised Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (rFLACC) scale and the Pediatric Pain Profile, which are observational and do not require verbal self-report. She stresses the value of consistent, systematic assessment and tracking pain interference to guide treatment. Dr. Todd Dalberg, a pediatrician specializing in palliative care, discusses pain management strategies, particularly for cerebral palsy. He defines pain according to the International Association for the Study of Pain and emphasizes a holistic approach, considering common comorbidities like reflux, constipation, and pancreatitis. He advocates for a multimodal approach, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, and highlights the importance of caregiver involvement and trust. The presentation concludes with resources for clinicians and families, such as the Well Child website and a pain assessment toolkit.

230 words

Critical Evaluation

The presentation offers a valuable overview of pain assessment and management in a vulnerable population, drawing on the extensive clinical experience of the speakers. The content is well-structured, with a clear division between assessment (Burkitt) and management (Dalberg). The emphasis on observational assessment tools is particularly useful, as many patients with IDD are nonverbal and cannot self-report pain. The inclusion of family narratives humanizes the topic and underscores the real-world impact of pain. The speakers are credible, with relevant expertise and no disclosed conflicts of interest. However, the presentation is primarily an expert opinion rather than a systematic review or original research. While they mention specific tools and resources, they do not provide detailed evidence for their efficacy or discuss potential limitations. The management section, while practical, could benefit from more specific guidance on pharmacological choices and dosing, as well as a more thorough discussion of non-pharmacological interventions. The title accurately reflects the content, and the presentation is well-suited for a professional audience. Overall, the information is reliable and clinically relevant, but the lack of in-depth evidence and specific protocols limits its comprehensiveness.

183 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which covers both assessment and management of pain in people with developmental disabilities.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The presentation is given by two experienced clinicians from a specialized tertiary center, with no conflicts of interest disclosed. They reference established pain assessment tools and resources, and the content aligns with current clinical knowledge. However, it is primarily an expert opinion with limited presentation of primary research data.

Key Moments

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

Cited Sources

Concurring Sources

  • International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) — Provides the definition of pain and guidelines that align with the presentation.

Contribution & Novelties

The presentation provides a practical framework for assessing and managing pain in individuals with developmental disabilities, emphasizing the use of observational tools and a holistic approach. It highlights the importance of caregiver input and consistent tracking. The speakers share clinical insights and resources that are not widely known.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) — Official definition of pain and resources on pain management.
  • rFLACC Scale — Detailed information on the Revised Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability scale.
  • Pediatric Pain Profile — Tool for assessing pain in children with severe intellectual disabilities.
  • Well Child — Resources for families and professionals on pain in nonverbal children.

112 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in quality of information and reliability, reflecting the expertise of the speakers and the practical nature of the content. The quantity of information is moderate, and the technical level is appropriate for a professional audience, indicating a balanced presentation.

Reliability 8/10