Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Behavior Phenotype: A Synthesis of Research to Understand Age‐Related Change in Behavior in Several Syndromes
Abstract Knowledge of behavior change with age can inform our understanding of maturation and contextual influences on functions and precursors of behavior and optimal timing of supports. The author reviewed current information on age‐related change in problem behaviors related to etiology of intellectual disability and synthesized behavioral research using select domains of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (hyperactivity/noncompliance, lethargy/social withdrawal, irritability/agitation, and stereotypic behavior). Syntheses of available data demonstrated an absence of problem behavior for many individuals with Down syndro...
Source: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities - March 5, 2014 Category: Disability Authors: Donna Couzens Tags: Invited Paper Source Type: research

A Call for the Integration of Trauma‐Informed Care Among Intellectual and Developmental Disability Organizations
Abstract Research exploring the occurrence of trauma among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) has grown over the past decade. Yet there is a dearth of literature investigating the impact of organizational factors on the trauma experience despite this population's need for organizational supports. Trauma‐informed care (TIC), a systems‐focused model for service delivery, is a fast‐developing interest among the broader field of trauma in the general population. It recognizes the prevalence and impact of trauma, and creates a culture of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empow...
Source: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities - March 5, 2014 Category: Disability Authors: John M. Keesler Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Medication Management in Belgian Residential Care Facilities for Individuals With Intellectual Disability: An Observational Study
Abstract Organizational aspects of the medication management process (MMP) have been investigated in hospital and nursing home settings. However, the amount of literature on medication management in residential care facilities (RCF) for individuals with ID is limited to two studies from the Netherlands, focusing only on drug administration errors. To assess the organization of the MMP in Belgian RCFs for people with ID, the authors undertook a cross‐sectional observational study in 34 Belgian RCFs for people with ID. Structured interviews were performed using a questionnaire: the first part (for the RCF directors) addres...
Source: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities - March 5, 2014 Category: Disability Authors: Elke Joos, Els Mehuys, Jan Van Bocxlaer, Jean Paul Remon, Myriam Van Winckel, Koen Boussery Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Core Concepts of Disability Policy, the Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, and Public Policy Research With Respect to Developmental Disabilities
This article describes the core concepts of U.S. disability policy and their utility for national and international policy development. It compares and contrasts the core concepts with the articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and then describes implications of the alignment of these two approaches. There is significant overlap among the core concepts and UNCRPD articles. Aligning the core concepts derived from U.S. disability policy and the UNCRPD provides a unifying international framework for thinking about core values in the development of public policy and resea...
Source: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities - March 5, 2014 Category: Disability Authors: Karrie A. Shogren, H. Rutherford Turnbull Tags: Brief Policy Report Source Type: research

System‐Wide Information About Family Carers of Adults With Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities—A Scoping Review of the Literature
Abstract Family carers play an important role supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) into adulthood. Funders of services often desire this ongoing involvement by family members yet they rarely collect data about family carers. As policy makers and planners are increasingly recognizing the need for information related to indicators of system performance, a scoping review was conducted to identify system‐wide information needed about family carers of adults with I/DD that would help improve the quality of service provided. A final review of 87 research articles was organized in terms...
Source: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities - March 5, 2014 Category: Disability Authors: Yona Lunsky, Ami Tint, Suzanne Robinson, Marcia Gordeyko, Hélène Ouellette‐Kuntz Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Successes and Challenges in the Implementation of Care Pathways in an Intellectual Disability Service: Health Professionals' Experiences
Abstract Healthcare pathways are a relatively new approach to delivering care in intellectual disability services. The authors endeavored to ascertain and explore successes and challenges in the implementation of care pathways in a National Health Service adult intellectual disability service in Leicestershire, UK. Data were obtained from a variety of sources including observations of multidisciplinary team meetings, issue logs, and feedback from health professionals. Constant comparative analysis identified 10 themes: communication between health professionals; clarity and dissemination of relevant documentation; multidis...
Source: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities - March 1, 2014 Category: Disability Authors: Susan Wood, Satheesh Gangadharan, Freya Tyrer, Rohit Gumber, John Devapriam, Avinash Hiremath, Sabyasachi Bhaumik Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Emotional and Tangible Reciprocity in Middle‐ and Older‐Aged Carers of Adults With Intellectual Disabilities
Abstract Reciprocal benefits may exist in relationships between carers and their adult sons/daughters with intellectual disabilities, but the topic has not been widely studied. The present study investigated whether older carers of adult children with intellectual disabilities perceive emotional and tangible reciprocity in their relationships and the association between perceived reciprocity with quality of life. The authors surveyed 91 parental carers (aged 50+ years, mean = 60.8). Bivariate correlations and hierarchical regression analyses assessed the relationship between tangible and emotional reciprocity and carer...
Source: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities - December 10, 2013 Category: Disability Authors: Elizabeth A. Perkins, William E. Haley Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Citizenship and Voting: Experiences of Persons With Intellectual Disabilities in Sweden
Abstract In Sweden, citizenship and participation in society have been emphasized as important for persons with intellectual disabilities for over four decades. The aim of the study was to describe, from a longitudinal perspective, how persons with intellectual disabilities experience citizenship and voting. The characteristics of becoming and being a voter were also identified. Thirteen women and seven men, aged 22–55 years on the first interview occasion in 1998, were interviewed three times more in regard to general elections in Sweden during the period 1998–2006. A constant comparative method was used in the data a...
Source: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities - December 10, 2013 Category: Disability Authors: Anette Kjellberg, Helena Hemmingsson Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Hand Grip Strength is Associated With Body Sway Rate Among Older Adults With Intellectual Disability
Abstract The authors undertook a study to determine whether hand grip strength is associated with body sway rate among older adults with intellectual disability. They employed cross‐sectional data from a nonrandomized controlled trial. Subjects were 16 older adults (8 females and 8 males; mean age 51.3 year) with mild‐to‐moderate intellectual disability residing in a supported living facility in Israel. Voluntary hand grip strength was measured isometrically using Jamar® hydraulic dynamometer, and body sway was assessed by Posture Scale Analyzer. Multivariate adjusted logistic regression model was used. Findings sho...
Source: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities - December 10, 2013 Category: Disability Authors: Eli Carmeli, Bita Imam, Ran Levi, Joav Merrick Tags: Brief Research Report Source Type: research

Experiences of Therapists Trying to Reduce Falls Risk for People With Intellectual Disability
Abstract Although it is well established that falling and fall‐related injuries are a problem for many people with intellectual disability (ID), there is an absence of research reporting on the effectiveness of fall prevention strategies to reduce fall risk in this population group. As a starting point to guide the development of research into possible fall prevention strategies for people with ID, the authors interviewed a purposive sample of physiotherapists and occupational therapists currently working for one service organization in New Zealand. To determine the perceptions, experiences, and opinions of therapists in...
Source: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities - December 10, 2013 Category: Disability Authors: Jaya Pal, Leigh Hale, Brigit Mirfin‐Veitch Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Public Bus Drivers and Social Inclusion: Evaluation of Their Knowledge and Attitudes Toward People With Intellectual Disabilities
Abstract Public bus drivers are a relevant part of the social network supporting people with intellectual disability (ID) in the independent use of public transport as their support can increase self‐determination and social inclusion. A study was undertaken that focused on (1) bus drivers' experiences with people with ID; (2) their knowledge about ID in general; and (3) their attitudes toward people with ID. Assessment of experiences, knowledge, and attitudes are important for the detection of potential psychological and social barriers for community inclusion. Experiences, knowledge, and attitudes were evaluated with a...
Source: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities - December 10, 2013 Category: Disability Authors: Vera Tillmann, Meindert Haveman, Reinhilde Stöppler, Štefan Kvas, Daniel Monninger Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Assessing Mobility Competences of Children With Intellectual Disabilities: Development and Results of the Mobility Assessment Schedule
This article describes the aims, development, and testing of the Mobility Assessment Schedule (MAS), an instrument assessing the ability of students with intellectual disability (ID), to function effectively as pedestrians in normal traffic. The MAS provides information about individual mobility skills of school‐age children with ID and measures the child's traffic skills congruent with safely and independently functioning in traffic situations. Mobility skills are measured in eight areas: visual perception, auditory perception, reaction, memory, attention, motor skills, social skills, and communication. The MAS was test...
Source: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities - December 10, 2013 Category: Disability Authors: Štefan Kvas, Reinhilde Stöppler, Meindert Haveman, Vera Tillmann Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Mobility and Public Transport Use Abilities of Children and Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: Results From the 3‐Year Nordhorn Public Transportation Intervention Study
Abstract In addition to individual mobility needs, today's society requires spatial mobility within the expected social role of a pedestrian and bus passenger. A social‐ecological model helps to identify opportunities to promote participation in traffic wayfinding by recognizing the multiple factors that influence an individual's behavior. The Nordhorn Public Transportation Intervention Study project in Germany had the aim of increasing the independent use of public transportation by students with intellectual disabilities (ID) through interventions in the social and physical environment. Success of the project was measu...
Source: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities - December 10, 2013 Category: Disability Authors: Meindert Haveman, Vera Tillmann, Reinhilde Stöppler, Štefan Kvas, Daniel Monninger Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Benefits and Quality of Life Outcomes From Transportation Voucher Use by Adults With Disabilities
Abstract People with disabilities often feel isolated from their communities, which in turn affects their emotional well‐being and their overall quality of life. Access to transportation is a substantial barrier to community participation and an improved quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Transportation voucher programs represent a cost‐effective way to provide access to transportation for people with disabilities, but few studies have empirically examined the effectiveness of such programs. The present study examined the perceived benefits of participating in a transportation voucher program in Michiga...
Source: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities - December 10, 2013 Category: Disability Authors: Preethy S. Samuel, Krim K. Lacey, Chesley Giertz, Karen L. Hobden, Barbara W. LeRoy Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Preventing Mobility Barriers to Inclusion for People With Intellectual Disabilities
This article recounts national and international efforts toward inclusion and suggests some reasons why these have fallen short. Research has revealed that limited financial resources, inadequate social supports and transportation, and unwelcoming or negative reciprocal attitudes are important community barriers to inclusion. These barriers are significant to all individuals with disabilities but especially to persons with intellectual disabilities (ID). Regarding ID in the context of person–environment interactions, the authors suggest that other significant barriers to community inclusion may be found in the built envi...
Source: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities - December 10, 2013 Category: Disability Authors: Jean Sherman, Sarah Sherman Tags: Original Article Source Type: research