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Beyond good practice: Issues in working with people with intellectual disability and high support needs
Author(s) -
Tannous Caterina,
LehmannMonck Val,
Magoffin Rebecca,
Jackson Olivia,
Llewellyn Gwynnyth
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
australian occupational therapy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1440-1630
pISSN - 0045-0766
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1630.1999.00173.x
Subject(s) - intellectual disability , psychology , occupational therapy , gerontology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , psychiatry
Many more people with an intellectual disability now live in the community as a result of de‐institutionalization. Occupational therapy is one service that assists people with intellectual disabilities to participate as fully as possible in their local communities. Despite the potential benefits of occupational therapy, there is little written about the types of interventions used and the effectiveness of their outcomes with people with intellectual disabilities. The present interview study about current occupational therapy practice with people with intellectual disabilities and high support needs was conducted with experienced Australian clinicians. Positive outcomes for clients with high support needs were achieved in two ways: (i) by what therapists do; and (ii) by the features of the therapy relationship. In addition, interventions that indirectly empowered clients and changed others’ perceptions were seen to have the most positive effect. The findings are discussed with regard to current occupational therapy literature and implications for occupational practice and education are presented.