Pain in children with intellectual or developmental disabilities

Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are estimated to have more than twice the incidence of chronic pain than their typically developing peers. Pain assessment is particularly challenging given the array of individual cognitive and communication abilities found in children with I/DD. Early recognition and accurate assessment of pain is essential for effective management and ultimately preventing the development of pain syndromes resulting from untreated nociceptive pain. Pain assessment instruments are available to support better pain management; however, more widespread use of these assessments within clinical practice and research studies is a necessary next step.