For these screens and assessments to be used with adults who are developmentally delayed they would need to be verbal and living either independently or some place with a lot of freedom to be at risk. That would eliminate individuals who are very low functioning and nonverbal.

However, folks with developmental delays do engage in risky substance use and if they are positive on the prescreen it would be appropriate to use eSBIRT to help you determine and deliver an appropriate level of service adapting it to the capabilities of the individual.