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Overview of Hayes Ability Screening Index (HASI)

“Identification of intellectual disability is one of the most difficult issues for personnel . . . [as] disability is not necessarily obvious from a person's appearance and some people with an intellectual disability attempt to conceal their disability or deny its existence”. . .
NSW Law Reform Commission, Report No. 80, 1996

Do you support clients with an intellectual disability who are victims of crime or charged with a crime?

Research shows:

  • When Legal Aid clients in New South Wales were assessed in a 1999 study, 27% had a mild or moderate intellectual disability. Not all of these clients were in the criminal law jurisdiction – some were attending Legal Aid offices for family law, social security or other legal matters.
  • In New South Wales correctional centres, 20% of prisoners have an intellectual disability.
  • Over 12% of people appearing before local courts in New South Wales have an IQ and adaptive behaviour score of less than 75.
  • Over one-third have a dual diagnosis of intellectual disability AND mental illness.

The HASI

  • Can be administered by non-psychologists in 5 -10 minutes.
  • Correctly screens for intellectual disability in 82% of cases and correctly excludes non-disabled clients in 72% of cases.
  • Correlates significantly with standardised tests of cognition and adaptive behaviour.
  • Is culture and gender fair.
  • Saves valuable time and resources.

The HASI is used throughout Australia and also in the UK, USA, Canada, Norway and Singapore.

It has been translated into Norwegian and Canadian French.

It is a unique and effective instrument to screen for intellectual disability.