Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID最新文献

Background: Children and youth with an intellectual disability and/or autism exhibit challenging behaviour at significantly higher rates than their peers. The present study explored the treatment modalities accessed to address challenging behaviour among this population as well as predictors of treatment access.

Method: A sample of 372 caregivers completed the GO4KIDDS survey about their children aged 4 to 20 years (M = 11.37; SD = 3.81).

Results: Results revealed that informal behavioural/teaching strategies were the most utilised approach to address challenging behaviour, whereas formal behavioural programs were least utilised. Age, adaptive functioning and diagnosis were significant predictors for taking medication for self-injurious behaviours. For aggressive and/or destructive behaviours, age was also a significant predictor for taking medication. A diagnosis of autism predicted receiving formal behavioural programs for both challenging behaviours.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for tailored and evidence-based interventions to address the unique challenges faced by this population.

Background: Little is known about people with intellectual disabilities' views of facial attractiveness and and how desirable they feel they are (self-desirability).

Method: Twenty-four adults with intellectual disabilities and twenty-five adults without disabilities were recruited from further education colleges and voluntary community organisations. Participants were asked to rate the attractiveness of facial images of typically developing individuals and individuals with Down syndrome. This was followed by a semi-structured interview, exploring participants with intellectual disabilities' perceptions of self-desirability.

Results: The participants with intellectual disabilities gave consistent attractiveness ratings when evaluating images of people with an intellectual disability. They were also more likely, than not, to perceive themselves as desirable to those they found attractive.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that people with intellectual disabilities make sophisticated intuitive judgments about the facial attractiveness of other people with and without intellectual disabilities, and remain positive about their own attractiveness.

Background: Self-determination has received increasing interest worldwide, both as a key concept in disability policy and as a guiding principle for best practices and lifelong learning.

Method: The study examined correlations between the Portuguese versions of the Self-Determination Inventory (SDI) and the Self-Determination Scale. A total of 168 participants with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) aged 13-60 years (24.7 ± 12.2) completed both instruments.

Results: Moderate and significant correlations were found, providing preliminary criterion evidence for the Portuguese translation of the SDI. The main findings include: (1) participants with IDD reported fewer self-determination actions, (2) women scored higher than men and (3) academic qualifications had a limited influence on self-determination scores.

Conclusions: The SDI PT translation is a valid and reliable tool that supports the operationalisation of the construct within the Portuguese context. This study also contributes to a deeper understanding of how self-determination manifests across diverse populations, offering insights into inclusive practices and future theoretical developments.

Background: There are high rates of staff turnover in Australian disability services. Increasing job satisfaction could reduce staff turnover. This study examined predictors of job satisfaction of frontline staff working in supported accommodation services.

Method: An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the measure of job satisfaction to determine the dependent variables. Multilevel modelling was used to examine predictors of job satisfaction.

Results: Three dimensions of job satisfaction were identified: Work Conditions, Tasks and Development, and Management. Role clarity, role conflict and collaboration within the organisation predicted all three dimensions. Staff having longer experience in the service predicted Work Conditions, while staff working more hours or being a frontline supervisor predicted satisfaction with Management. Staff working in services where the people supported had higher levels of engagement was associated with Tasks and Development.

Conclusions: Increasing role clarity and collaboration within the organisation, and reducing role conflict, could improve job satisfaction.

Background: In response to the lack of well-validated observation-instruments assessing the emotions of people with severe to profound intellectual disabilities, the Attune & Stimulate-checklist (A&S-checklist) was psychometrically evaluated.

Method: Video recordings of 102 adults with severe to profound intellectual disabilities were scored with the A&S-checklist. Related constructs were assessed through proxy-questionnaires and physiological measurement.

Results: Good inter-rater (ICC = 0.77-0.83) and moderate to good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.70-0.81) were found, except for one seldomly scored A&S-category. Moderate to strong associations were found between observed emotional states and informant reports of emotional functioning, adaptive functioning, communication and influence, and mood (r = 0.27-0.51; p < 0.05), except for negative mood. A&S-checklist-arousal was not statistically associated with skin conductance.

Conclusions: The A&S-checklist showed adequate psychometric properties, making assessment of emotion more feasible. The lack of a straightforward link with physiologically measured arousal invites further investigation.

Trial registration: This study was pre-registered on Open Science Framework in the project https://osf.io/pba92 (Doodeman et al. 2020, August 27). The link to this registration is: Doodeman, T. W. M., Sterkenburg, P., & Schuengel, C. (2020, August 27). The Construct and Convergent Validity of the 'Attune & Stimulate' checklist for parents and caregivers of persons with severe intellectual disabilities. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/PBA92.

Background: Psychotropics (sometimes off-label), mental health diagnoses and behaviours of concern are common in older adults with intellectual disability. Guidelines recommend non-pharmacological interventions and regular medication review. This study examined changes in psychotropics among older adults (≥ 40) with intellectual disability.

Methods: Longitudinal data were obtained from the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA) at two timepoints [Wave 1(2009/10); Wave 4(2019/20)]. Post hoc analysis, Chi-squared tests and univariate binary logistic regression were conducted.

Results: Overall, psychotropics decreased (59.2% to 56.5%). Significant decreases in antipsychotics (43.1%-40.1%) and sedatives/hypnotics (13.6%-8.1%) and significant increase in antidepressants (26.2%-31.8%) were found. Nearly half of antidepressant users reported depression at Wave 1, compared with under 30% at Wave 4. Antipsychotics and antidepressants were common (75% and 60%, respectively) among those with behaviours of concern, after excluding clinical indications.

Conclusion: Psychotropic prescribing remained consistent, though class-specific patterns shifted, with some decreases or increases observed.

Background: This study aimed to provide insight into the support needs of siblings (6-12 years) of children with intellectual disabilities and/or visual impairments, and in the match with sibling support resources that are available in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Method: Semi-structured interviews about support needs were conducted with 13 siblings. A grey document review identified 255 organisations and 134 books, texts and media sources that offer (indirect) support to siblings. Thematic analysis was conducted on the interview data and found resources.

Results: Siblings described diverse challenges and support needs, such as social and emotional support, receiving quality time and attention, and contact with peers. The found resources were fragmented, mainly focused on a broader target group, and only partially matched siblings' needs. Some support needs, such as learning to deal with their siblings' behaviour, were insufficiently addressed.

Conclusion: These insights can help better align sibling support needs with available resources.

Background: Perceptions and attitudes related to co-occurring intellectual disability and substance use disorder (SUD) may differ among professionals across different care settings. This study explores these potential differences between intellectual disability care and addiction care.

Method: In a cross-sectional comparative study, perceptions and attitudes among health care professionals working in both systems were collected through the Illness Perception Questionnaire and Medical Condition Regards Scale.

Results: Addiction care professionals showed greater understanding of SUD and more positive attitudes towards patients with co-occurring conditions. In contrast, intellectual disability care professionals scored higher in emotional response. Demoralisation correlated negatively, and illness coherence and personal control positively with attitudes towards these patients.

Conclusions: These findings suggest more negative attitudes towards patients with an intellectual disability and co-occurring SUD among professionals in intellectual disability care compared to addiction care, and argue for efforts to further improve attitudes in order to enhance care for these patients.

Background: People with intellectual disabilities frequently communicate through Key Word Signs (KWS). Although various methods have trained practitioners to sign, they have not led to increased use. This study evaluated whether Precision Teaching would lead to improved outcomes.

Method: Practitioners were divided into experimental (n = 4) and control conditions (n = 5) using a multiple baseline across participants design. Experimental participants received Precision Teaching for 60 signs three times a week for 14 weeks. Control participants had completed a one-day training event via Makaton at least 1 year before. Naturalistic observations were conducted for all participants to measure signing while supporting service users.

Results: Experimental participants demonstrated fluency, emergent application, and maintenance of improvements. They also signed more than control participants when supporting clients.

Conclusion: Precision Teaching can lead to increased usage of KWS under naturalistic conditions. However, training in isolation might be inadequate. Additional elements, such as practice leadership, are required.

Background: Family carers often lack support for their own well-being as they navigate diagnostic and early intervention services for intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Methods: This study explored the emotional journey of carers during Early Positive Approaches to Support, an 8-week group program. Participants journaled their emotional experiences at the beginning and end of each session.

Results: There was a significant increase in comfortable emotions and a decrease in uncomfortable emotions by the program's end.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that the program improved carers' ability to self-regulate their emotions and manage challenges. This study also highlights the value of self-observation to understand carers' emotional landscapes in interventions targeting their well-being.