The effect of active support training on engagement, opportunities for choice, challenging behaviour and support needs
Koritsas, Stella Iacono, Teresa Hamilton, David Ian Leighton, Daniel
Koritsas, Stella
Iacono, Teresa
Hamilton, David Ian
Leighton, Daniel
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate active support (AS) training and to investigate changes to perceived engagement in domestic tasks, opportunities for choice, frequency of challenging behaviour, and level of support needs. Method: Participants were 12 adults with ID aged 27–57 years (M = 37 years) residing in three group homes, and their support workers. The support workers completed assessments on three occasions (at baseline, post-training, and at follow-up). Results: Residents' engagement in domestic tasks increased over time, and overall choice increased, although perceived choice in two life domains initially increased, but decreased to baseline levels at follow-up. Residents exhibited an overall decrease in anxiety, self-absorbed behaviour, disruptive behaviour, and problem behaviour in general. There was also an overall decrease in perceived support needs for five activity domains, with no change for one domain. Conclusions: The results contribute to a growing body of evidence demonstrating favourable outcomes of AS in terms of engagement and challenging behaviour in people with ID. Surprising results are presented for choice and perceived support needs, warranting further investigation.
Keywords
intellectual disability, active support, engagement, activity, challenging behaviour, choice, support needs
Date
2008
Type
Journal article
Journal
Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Journal of
Book
Volume
33
Issue
3
Page Range
247-256