Effectiveness of training on the community skills of children with intellectual disabilities

Drysdale, Jill; Casey, Jackie; Porter-Armstrong, Alison

Abstract

Background: Children with intellectual disabilities often have difficulties in daily tasks, requiring training to increase functional independence. This study measured the effectiveness of community skills training in a telephone task and a shopping task, and examined if community-based training was more effective than classroom-based training. Material and methods: A randomized control trial with 40 children aged 9–11years was completed. Intervention groups attended an eight-week training programme; the control group received no treatment. One intervention group practised skills in local shops. All participants were assessed before and after treatment in a shopping task and telephone task, using task analysis methodology. Results: Data showed a highly statistically significant difference between intervention and control groups in the shopping task (p=0.007); however, there was no significant difference between classroom and classroom supplemented by community-based learning in the shopping task. There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the telephone task. Conclusion: Results suggested that skills training was effective in one of the skill areas with this client group. Further research is required to determine if community-based training is more effective than classroom-based learning.

Citation

Drysdale, J., Casey, J., & Porter-Armstrong, A. (2008). Effectiveness of training on the community skills of children with intellectual disabilities. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 15(4), 247-255. https://doi.org/10.1080/11038120802456136

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Jul 12, 2009
• Publication Date: 2008-01
• Deposit Date: Nov 11, 2021
• Journal: Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy
• Print ISSN: 1103-8128
• Electronic ISSN: 1651-2014
• Publisher: Informa Healthcare
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 247-255
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/11038120802456136
• Keywords: Community living skills training, occupational therapy, shopping skills, skills acquisition, task analysis, telephone calls
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2820760