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Development of self-help, language, and academic skills in persons with Down syndrome
- Authors:
- DE GRAAF Gert, DE GRAAF Erik
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 13(2), 2016, p.120–131.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Using visual analysis by means of scatterplots, correlational analysis, and linear regressions, the authors explored the skills of individuals with Down syndrome in the areas of self-help, language, academics, and computer skills. By combining data of several Dutch studies, they obtained 1,252 different observations made by parents on 862 individuals, aged <1–35 years. Research shows advancement in language skills up to the age of 12, with plateauing afterward. In contrast, self-help skills still increase in adolescence and young adulthood. Academics and computer skills improve up to the age of 14. However, less developed academic skills (and computer skills) of adolescents and young adults appear to be a generational difference, rather than a loss of acquired skills. In their analysis, the authors differentiated between students with a primarily regular school career vs. those with a primarily special school career. In addition, in both groups, the studies were differentiated between students with an IQ >50 vs. an IQ between 35 and 50. The comparison between the various subgroups revealed that children with special education backgrounds in the higher IQ range demonstrated less advanced academic skills than children with regular education backgrounds in the lower IQ range. This suggests that regular education is more stimulating for academic skill development. Using age, “school career,” and IQ (<35; 35–50; 50–60; 60–70; >70) as predictors, regressions confirmed this conclusion. The authors conclude that their analyses show that the shift in the early 1990s in the Netherlands toward more inclusion in education for students with Down syndrome has led to better outcomes in academic skill development for these students. (Publisher abstract)
A comparison of support for two groups of young adults with mild intellectual disability
- Authors:
- SOENEN Sarah, BERCKELAER-ONNES Ina van, SCHOLTE Evert
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 44(2), 2016, pp.146-158.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Young adults with mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID) have varying profiles of cognitive, adaptive and behavioural functioning. There is also variability in their educational and therapeutic needs. This study compares recommended and actual provision of support for two groups of young adults with MBID and looks at young adults’ satisfaction with their support. Participants’ clinical files were analysed and a satisfaction interview was administered. Descriptive statistics were used to characterise the groups, and t-tests or chi-square tests were used to explore similarities and differences between the groups. A combined, supported independent living setting, a structuring and regulating support style and psychotherapy were recommended for the young adults in group 1 (MBID with externalising behavioural problems), whilst independent living with access to community support services and a meeting house, and skills training was recommended for group 2 (MBID with internalising behavioural problems). Both groups were considered capable of standard employment with support from a job coach. The authors found mismatches between recommended and actual provision of support. The findings suggest that service providers do not focus enough on the educational support needs, but therapeutic needs are generally more often met. (Edited publisher abstract)
The importance of tacit knowledge in practices of care
- Author:
- REINDERS H.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 54(Supplement 1), April 2010, pp.28-37.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
In the article the author argues that high quality personal relationships between professional and client is an essential condition of professional knowledge. This epistemological claim is developed against the background of current methods of quality assessment that rely on objective indicators. The author provides a philosophical analysis regarding the nature of professional knowledge in the care sector, where the analysis continues on from the concept of tacit knowledge to account for the personal dimension of professional expertise in the care sector. The author suggests that methods of quality assessment describe ‘quality of care’ as being independent to the professional who generates it, and, consequently, quality assessment as currently practiced renders the personal dimension of professional knowledge invisible – thereby excluding it from managerial attention and support. To indicate the relevance of the concept of tacit knowledge, the article offers some observations from the practice of care in a group home for people with intellectual disabilities. The author concludes that a high quality relationship between professionals and their clients is crucial for quality of care, and that this relationship generates the positive interaction that enables professionals to gain adequate insight in the needs of their clients.