Impact of additional disabilities on adaptive behavior and support profiles for people with intellectual disabilities
Date
2009
Authors
Harries, J.
Guscia, R.
Nettelbeck, T.
Kirby, N.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 2009; 114(4):237-253
Statement of Responsibility
Julia Harries, Roma Guscia, Ted Nettelbeck, and Neil Kirby
Conference Name
Abstract
Numerous researchers have reported a high incidence of additional disabilities coexisting with intellectual disabilities. Although an intuitive link can be made between the existence of multiple disabilities and greater need for support, little has been reported about this relationship. Using measures of adaptive functioning and support needs, we examined the extent to which adaptive and challenging behaviors and consequent support needs (including medical) were impacted by the presence and severity of additional disabilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Results show that adaptive behaviors and support needs were meaningfully related to the number and severity of additional disabilities present, whereas this was not so for challenging behaviors. Findings are discussed in terms of contemporary models of disability and functioning.