Individuals with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities at Work?! Activities in Special Day Service Centers in Germany

Abstract

AbstractAll individuals have the right to participate in activities. Therefore, productive work or other meaningful activities can promote the individuals' quality of life. While realizing work related activities for individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) is an issue in clinical practice in general, special day service centers in Germany intend to provide work related activities for all individuals of the target group. The aim of the present study was to analyze the activities of all special day service centers in a northern urban region of Germany, in order to describe to what extent such activities could promote the work related quality of life of the individuals with PIMD. Four special day service centers participated in the present study. Data were collected in a diary for one individual with PIMD per group (n = 30). Goals and content were analyzed focusing on the relation with a work related quality of the life model (operationalized as interaction, experience of competences, and self‐determination). The results show that communication and self‐efficacy (as parts of interaction and experience of competences) are often goal and/or content of the presented activities. Stimulation of self‐determination was rarely ticked as a goal. The most important conclusion of the present study is that participation in work related activities of individuals with PIMD is possible. Including elements such as communication, motor activation, and experience of self‐efficacy, the activities can be described as activities promoting the quality of life in individuals with PIMD. Still, different types of special day service centers are needed. Focusing on either work related activities, education, and/or leisure activities accounts for the different needs of individuals with PIMD according to their different characteristics and different phases of life.