Support Needs of Individuals With Mild and Moderate Intellectual Disabilities and Challenging Behaviors

Abstract

This exploratory study examined relationships between support needs assessed with the French version of the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS; Thompson et al., 2004) and challenging behaviors as assessed with the Scales of Independent Behavior--Revised (Bruininks, Woodcock, Weatherman, & Hill, 1996). The Sample included 191 persons between 16 and 75 year old, with either a mild or moderate intellectual disability. Using correlation and inferential analysis, it was found overall that high frequency in challenging behaviors was related to a need for greater support intensity, particularly social support, and maintenance of emotional well-being. The findings highlighted the importance of establishing specific support measures that target social skills, receptive and expressive communication, and the management of stress and anger.

KEYWORDS:

• challenging behaviors
• supports needs
• intellectual disabilities

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research received financial support from the Consortium national de recherche sur l'intégration sociale (CNRIS) and the AAIDD Québec Chapter. We thank the staff of Les Services de Réadaptation du Sud-Ouest et du Renfort, Services de réadaptation L'Intégrale, Centre de réadaptation La Myriade et le Service de réadaptation en déficience intellectuelle Les Filandières, Centre du Florès, Regroupement CNDE/Dixiville (Centre Notre-Dame de l'enfant), Centre de réadaptation en deficience intellectual (CRDI) Montrérégie-Est, Pavillon Sainte-Marie, Centre de réadaptation Lisette-Dupras, and CRDI Gabrielle-Major for their valuable collaboration. Special thanks to Dr. Jean Begin.

Notes

¹ This was determined through frequency checks in which individuals with profound ID had systematically lower levels of support needs than the severe group. After this observation was made, the researchers contacted the interviewers, who confirmed their bias to underrate this particular group.