Guidelines in Supporting People with Intellectual Disabilities.It’s all About Values

Jos H M Van Loon

doi:10.19080/gjidd.2020.07.555703

Abstract

In a person-centered support system for people with intellectual disabilities, there should be an alignment between the wishes and goals of a person, his or her support needs, the support given, and his or her quality of life as outcome. Thus far, quite some research has been done on measuring support needs and measuring personal outcomes. In this article the focus is on the actual support to people with intellectual disabilities. It is argued that there should be an emphasis on 1) the application of evidence-based supports, 2) based on evidence-based measurement of support needs, 3) in which the outcomes are evidence-based assessed quality of life-related personal outcomes, 4) within a value-based framework, and 5) in a process of methodological sound Individual Supports Planning. A value-based model for evidence-based supports and interventions in a support methodology is presented.

Highlights

For organizations providing supports to persons with intellectual disability, it is their main task to enhance the quality of life (QOL) of their clients
In a person-centered support system, there should be an alignment between the wishes and goals of a person, his or her support needs, the support given, and his or her quality of life as outcome
The present contribution will in this respect focus on 1) the application of evidence-based supports, 2) based on evidence-based measurement of support needs, 3) in which the outcomes are evidence-based assessed quality of liferelated personal outcomes, 4) within a value-based framework and 5) in a process of methodological sound Individual Supports Planning

Summary

Introduction

For organizations providing supports to persons with intellectual disability, it is their main task to enhance the quality of life (QOL) of their clients. The outcomes of an individual supports plan for a person should be an enhanced quality of life. Evidence-based outcomes (EBOs) are a critical component of evidence-based practices [5] Determining whether these outcomes occur, requires the reliable and valid assessment of quality of life-related domains. The present contribution will in this respect focus on 1) the application of evidence-based supports, 2) based on evidence-based measurement of support needs, 3) in which the outcomes are evidence-based assessed quality of liferelated personal outcomes, 4) within a value-based framework and 5) in a process of methodological sound Individual Supports Planning. If there is an alignment between wishes and goals, assessed support needs, individual supports, and quality of life outcomes, there is an excellent opportunity to enhance clinical decisions regarding how to support people methodically in improving their quality of life

A Framework

There should be an alignment to QOL and a system of supports

Findings

Conclusion