Diagnostic Drawing Series: Research with Older People Diagnosed with Organic Mental Syndromes and Disorders

This paper describes the use of a standardized three-picture art interview, the Diagnostic Drawing Series, with older people. Artwork was collected from 24 patients diagnosed with Organic Mental Syndromes and Disorders as defined by the DSM III-R criteria. The formal aspects of the art were rated using the Drawing Analysis Form (Cohen, 1985), the Content Checklist (Cohen & Cohen, 1990), and the Tree Scale (Creekmore, 1989). Results were analyzed statistically and compared to the ratings of art done by a control group of older people with no apparent neurological dysfunction. The results of an interrater reliability study are examined.