SPECIAL EDUCATION MOVES AHEAD: A COMMENT ON THE EDUCATION OF TEACHERS.
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While much of the industrialized world struggles for clues to the growing rise in obesity in their respective countries, researchers and service providers involved in understanding the health characteristics and health behaviors of persons with intellectual disability (ID) struggle with their own issues regarding the increased prevalence of obesity in this segment of the population. What is particularly alarming is that adults with ID residing in the United States in smaller, less supervised settings (e.g., group homes and family households) have a significantly higher rate of obesity compared to other countries and those living in larger and more supervised settings (e.g., institutions). These differences support the theory that the environment appears to exert a powerful influence on obesity in this population. Obesity presents a substantial threat to the livelihood of persons with ID and may have an effect on community participation, independent living, and healthy years of life. The lack of research on successful weight reduction strategies for obese persons with ID makes this an important and greatly needed area of research.
A personal development program, entitled 'Growing Pains', was developed for 11-to 15-year-old students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a specialist school. Seven topics were identified as important in supporting students through the physical and emotional changes of adolescence. A single-group, non-experimental outcome evaluation was conducted on a 20 week trial program. Teacher-developed checklists of observable skills were completed pre-and post-program for 68 participants yielding individual 'personal development' scores and whole group 'topic' scores, graphed to observe pre-post differences. Parents and teachers completed feedback questionnaires. Graphed data showed positive trends in individual personal development and most topic scores. The topic 'personal hygiene' showed almost no change across the group but parent and teacher feedback identified it as highly important. Causality cannot be established using this design; however, positive trends justified persisting with the program. Future studies might investigate effective means of teaching personal hygiene skills.
The increase in life expectancy within the general population has resulted in an increasing number of elderly adults with intellectual disability, and this is reflected in the increased life expectancy in persons with Down syndrome, currently about 56 years. The aim of this study was to study the clinical characteristics, the functional status and sensori-motor function of 10 older persons with Down syndrome (mean age 59 years), 13 younger persons with Down syndrome (mean age 44 years) and compare them with 38 adults with intellectual disability without Down syndrome and a control group of people without intellectual disability. All the persons with Down syndrome and intellectual disability resided in two residential living centres in Israel, while the 31 older persons without intellectual disability (mean age 75 years), who served as the control group, lived in an independent living facility. The study considered demographic data, medical backgrounds, physical and functional tests. The results showed that the older persons with Down syndrome in the study were more obese, shorter and had more medical problems than both the older persons with intellectual disability and the control group. The functional performance of the older adults with Down syndrome was more impaired in comparison with both other groups. It is postulated that their slower responses may be explained by a less physically active lifestyle, that may accelerate the onset of disease, resulting in symptoms associated with aging that are detrimental to health.
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AIMS: This article reports on a small exploratory survey aimed at establishing the perceived training needs of palliative care staff related to supporting people with intellectual disabilities. METHODS: Questionnaires were collected from a sample of 46 palliative care staff. Respondents were asked to describe 'worrying issues' about supporting a person with intellectual disabilities. Answers were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: Most respondents (37, 80%) highlighted communication as a concern. Other major issues included assessment and symptom control, patient comprehension, empowerment and ethical issues/consent. DISCUSSION: Communication and symptom assessment can be challenging, particularly in people with limited verbal communication skills. Palliative care staff need to be aware of the range of communication methods used by people with intellectual disabilities. CONCLUSION: There is a lack of information and training materials around intellectual disabilities for palliative care staff. This needs to be addressed. More work is needed to develop appropriate training in this area.
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BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the most common forms of psychopathology in people with intellectual disability (ID). The present study evaluated the utility of an expanded assessment of psychiatric symptoms and challenging behaviours, as measured by the Clinical Behavior Checklist for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (CBCPID). METHODS: The CBCPID was administered to 92 people with ID, 35 of whom were diagnosed with a depressive disorder. RESULTS: Item and factor analysis of the scale indicated that depression was best assessed using the core DSM-IV symptoms of depressive disorder. Challenging behaviours such as self-injury or aggression were not closely associated with depression. Short scales using the core DSM-IV symptoms of depression were highly internally consistent. There was also evidence of the validity of these scales. CONCLUSIONS: This study found no evidence that challenging behaviours were depressive equivalents in this population. The present authors conclude that the assessment of depression in people with ID should focus on the core DSM-IV symptoms of depression.
A 15% increase in the incidence of 16 to 24-year olds drawing disability pension was observed in Norway from 1976 to 93. This increase is mainly a consequence of the higher numbers of pensioners because of birth defects and mental retardation. Prevalence of these conditions, which are clearly related to pregnancy, delivery, and inheritable disorders, may have increased as a consequence of the improved survival of newborn babies observed during the last two decades. A 50% increase in the incidence of disability pensions among 16 to 24-year olds has occurred in the three-year period from 1994 to 96. The higher rate is most probably a consequence of the restrictions in rehabilitation benefits introduced in 1993, and the resultant difficulties in obtaining employment. The higher incidence is a clear indicator of the need to increase assistance for the disabled in order to avoid their being pensioned at a young age.