Intellectual Disability In Israel Research Articles

The role of parental playfulness as a moderator reducing child behavioural problems among children with intellectual disability in Israel

BackgroundPlayfulness is well known to be vital for child development. However, not much is known regarding parental playfulness. We set out to investigate the role of parental playfulness in children with intellectual disabilities (ID) and typical development (TD) living in Israel. Specifically, we examined 1) differences in parental playfulness between groups and 2) parental playfulness as a moderator in the link between developmental status and behavioural problems (BP). MethodOne hundred forty-two families living in Israel and their children (48 % with ID) aged 4–7 years participated in the study. Parent-child play interaction was videotaped and coded for parental playfulness. Parents reported on child BP using the CBCL questionnaire. ResultsParents in the ID group showed lower levels of playfulness compared to parents in the TD group. Father’s playfulness acted as a moderator in the link between developmental status and child BP. ConclusionsThese results highlight the unique role of father’s playfulness in the developmental status of a child diagnosed with ID.

Politics of geographic exclusion: deinstitutionalization, hegemony and persons with intellectual disability in Israel

Deinstitutionalization is a core policy for the development of services for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in western countries. Nonetheless, although a western country, deinstitutionalization is not well advanced in Israel. In order to shed light on this phenomenon, we explore the hegemony of ID as reflected in Israeli legislation. The analysis shows a biomedical hegemony; ID is depicted as a form of medical and social deviance. Israel’s legislation reflects paternalistic views of persons with ID, who are largely seen as vulnerable objects of pity, to be cared for and protected.

Challenging behavior among institutionalized adults with intellectual disability in Israel: a comparison of measurements and definitions

Objectives: Challenging behavior (CB) is used as a diagnostic label among service providers. For persons with intellectual disability (ID) this label holds important implications such as placement in segregated housing and extreme stigmatization. Therefore, the ways through which service providers define and measure CB holds great importance. This study compared the nature and extent of differences between the way CB is measured in institutionalized adults with ID among service providers with a valid CB tool (Challenging Behavior Scale, CBS).Methods: A survey was conducted among 53 institutionalized adults with ID in Israel. Data were collected via a close ended questionnaire from key staff members.Results: We found that staff's definitions of CB did not align with CBS scores.Conclusions: Given the far reaching implications of the CB label among persons with ID, it is highly important that service providers relay on valid measurements.

Residential care centers for persons with intellectual disability in Israel. Trends in the number of children 1999–2008

In 1998, a questionnaire was developed by the Health Services, Office of the Medical Director at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services. This questionnaire was aimed to assess, on a yearly basis, the health of the residents with intellectual disability and the services provided to them by specific residential care centers within Israel. The present study was conducted to examine trends in the number of children with intellectual disability in residential care centers in Israel during 1999-2008. We demonstrated a clear downward trend with regard to the percent of children living in residential care facilities, from 18.1% of the total population in 1999 to 12.8% in 2008.

Aging people with intellectual disability in Israel

The proportion of adults with intellectual disability (ID) who are in need of support with various aspects of personal care is already significant at age 40 years. The aim of this study was to learn about the personal, social, and health characteristics of older people with ID in Israel and to examine their needs and the solutions provided. A cross-sectional and nationwide study collected data about people with ID aged 40 years and older. Formal and informal caregivers were interviewed about medical data and about their own characteristics and needs. The percentage of people with severe and profound ID was 29% and among those living with their families 21%, compared with 3% in hostels and small group homes. Differences in age distribution were found in the various housing settings. A significant correlation was found between the level of intellectual disability and the activities of daily living. As age increased, contact and involvement with family members declined. The use of medical services increased with age in all out-of-home settings. It is possible to compare the differential needs of different age groups, which helps us understand the implications of aging for the populations in the various settings.

TRENDS AND MILESTONES

Nursing care has changed over time and the focus has differed according to the need or the culture involved. One of the first descriptions of nursing of people with intellectual disability (ID) is from the United States at the New York Hospital around 1808. Over the next 200 years, ID nursing developed into a subspecialty in both the United States and England with a curriculum and certification. This process has yet to take place in Israel, but it is a change we would like to see in the coming years. The purpose of this paper was to look at the trend in the number of nursing patients in residential care centers for people with ID in Israel. Data were extracted from the 1998-2007 national annual surveys of all residential care centers in Israel. Over this 10-year period, we found that the number of nursing patients was fairly constant, ranging from 23.9% of the total population in 1998 to 26.5% in 2007. Whereas the percent of nursing patients has remained steady, the burden of nursing has increased. Specifically, due to the aging of this population, residential care centers are now dealing with an increased quantity and complexity of medical problems. As a result, we have experienced a need to establish, on a regional basis, long-term nursing care facilities within our residential care centers.

Residential care centers for persons with intellectual disability in Israel. Trends in cancer mortality during 1991-2005

Residential care centers for persons with intellectual disability in Israel. Trends in cancer mortality during 1991-2005

Legal Aspects of Parenthood Among Persons with Intellectual Disability in Israel

SUMMARY Persons with intellectual disability are living longer, more integrated into the community and participating more in normal behavior that includes marriage and parenthood. This can be seen as part of normalization and reflects a change in societal attitude towards people with intellectual disability. This paper examines different aspects of parenthood in persons with intellectual disability, as seen through the eyes of the legal system in Israel today.

Aging among persons with intellectual disability in Israel in relation to type of residence, age, and etiology

This study was conducted to compare aging phenomena of persons with intellectual and developmental disability (ID) aged 40 years and older living in community residence ( N=65) with those living with their families ( N=43) in Jerusalem, Israel. All 108 persons and care givers were interviewed to ascertain health problems, sensory impairment, activity of daily living (ADL), cognitive skills, and leisure activities. Health problem had already developed by age 40 years. The most frequent were visual (33%), hearing impairments (20%) and dental problems (30%). The community residence group displayed more medical problems, whereas individuals living at home had more dental problems. Health problems in persons with Down syndrome were significantly higher. ADL functioning for all participants was high, but persons with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy had more dependence. A decline in functioning in both residential groups was observed concerning leisure time, but scores for social life leisure activities were better for the community residential group. The data provided in this study can serve as information to develop geriatric services for persons with ID and provide a basis for comparison with peers in the general population in Israel. Dental service to persons with ID living at home should be improved.

Spiritual health in residential centers for persons with intellectual disability in Israel. A National Survey

Article Spiritual health in residential centers for persons with intellectual disability in Israel. A National Survey was published on July 1, 2001 in the journal International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health (volume 13, issue 3).

Trends in government expenditure for persons with intellectual disability in Israel

Trends in government expenditure for persons with intellectual disability in Israel

Parents of adolescents with severe intellectual disability in Israel: Resources, stress and the decision to apply for out-of-home placement

Israeli parents of adolescents with severe intellectual disability (n=86) were studied in respect to their locus of control and perceived social support as moderators of stress, and the likelihood of applying for out-of-home placement. Findings indicated that applying parents, of whom the higher percentage was single-parent families, tended to have external locus of control, less social support, and high levels of stress. Furthermore, parental internal locus of control and positive appraisal of social support were the only resources that moderated child-related stress and increased the likelihood of keeping the adolescent child at home. Findings are interpreted in relation to policy and practice.