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Does visual impairment lead to additional disability in adults with intellectual disabilities?
- Authors:
- EVENHUIS H.M., SJOUKES L., KOOT H. M., KOOIJMAN A. C.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 53(1), January 2009, pp.19-28.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study addresses the question to what extent visual impairment leads to additional disability in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). In a multi-centre cross-sectional study of 269 adults with mild to profound ID in the Netherlands, social and behavioural functioning was assessed with observant-based questionnaires, prior to expert assessment of visual function. With linear regression analysis the percentage of variance, explained by levels of visual function, was calculated for the total population and per ID level. A total of 107/269 participants were visually impaired or blind (WHO criteria). On top of the decrease by ID visual impairment significantly decreased daily living skills, communication & language, recognition/communication. Visual impairment did not cause more self-absorbed and withdrawn behaviour or anxiety. Peculiar looking habits correlated with visual impairment and not with ID. In the groups with moderate and severe ID this effect seems stronger than in the group with profound ID. Although ID alone impairs daily functioning, visual impairment diminishes the daily functioning even more. Timely detection and treatment or rehabilitation of visual impairment may positively influence daily functioning, language development, initiative and persistence, social skills, communication skills and insecure movement.
Is concept-mapping an effective method of introducing complex interventions into intellectual disability services?
- Authors:
- SJOUKES L., HARTELOH M., EVENHUIS H.M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 3(2), June 2006, pp.133-135.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
As many adults with intellectual disability (ID) have an increased risk of low vision, ID service providers should play an active role in vision rehabilitation. However, low vision rehabilitation is a new and complex intervention for many providers in this field. To increase awareness of vision rehabilitation, it was proposed that the process of concept-mapping be tested to see whether it would lead to increased acceptance of vision rehabilitation. In this test, the use of concept-mapping appeared to be a satisfactory method for increasing awareness of professionals and middle managers of the complexity of vision rehabilitation, but it was found that it can only be useful for change if connected to a strategic decision by top management and the adoption of an action plan by the service provider.