Staffs’ documentation of participation for adults with profound intellectual disability or profound intellectual and multiple disabilities

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated what areas of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health were documented in implementation plans for adults with profound intellectual disability or profound intellectual and multiple disabilities with focus on participation.Methods: A document analysis of 17 implementation plans was performed and International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health was used as an analytic tool.Results: One hundred and sixty-three different codes were identified, especially in the components Activities and participation and Environmental factors. Participation was most frequently coded in the chapters Community, social and civic life and Self-care. Overall, the results showed that focus in the implementation plans concerned Self-care and Community, social and civic life. The other life areas in Activities and participation were seldom, or not at all, documented.Conclusions: A deeper focus on participation in the implementation plans and all life areas in the component Activities and participation is needed. It is important that the documentation clearly shows what the adult wants, wishes, and likes in everyday life. It is also important to ensure that the job description for staff contains both life areas and individual preferences so that staff have the possibility to work to fulfill social and individual participation for the target group.Implications for rehabilitationThere is a need for functioning working models to increase participation significantly for adults with profound intellectual disability or profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.For these adults, participation is achieved through the assistance of others and support and services carried out must be documented in an implementation plan.The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health can be used to support staff and ensure that information about the most important factors in an individual’s functioning in their environment is not omitted in documentation.