The objective of this study was to explain the characteristics of adaptive behavior and support needs for people with intellectual disabilities and the correlation among the related factors. This study was conducted on the assumption that it would be ...
The objective of this study was to explain the characteristics of adaptive behavior and support needs for people with intellectual disabilities and the correlation among the related factors. This study was conducted on the assumption that it would be quite meaningful to explore the characteristics of adaptive behavior and support needs for people with intellectual disabilities using specific variables and interconnections among the characteristics and to suggest educational implications and directions for future research.
The subjects of this study were 182 people with intellectual disabilities at the age of 16-24 in their transitional period sampled special classes of ordinary schools, special schools, and residential or rehabilitation facilities for people with disabilities in consideration of their background variables (gender, age, and degree of disability).
In order to survey the characteristics of adaptive behavior and support needs for people with intellectual disabilities, this study obtained descriptive statistics (total scores, means, percentages, standard deviations, skewness and kurtosis) and tested differences according to background variables (gender, age and degree of disability) through t-test and F-test. Significant differences were verified through Tukey’s HSD. In addition, the correlations (Pearson’s r) between the sub-factors of adaptive behavior and support needs were analyzed, and multiple regression analysis performed.
Conclusions drawn from this study are as follows.
First, adaptive behavior level for people with intellectual disabilities was low in general. They had relative strengths in motor skills including gross motor and fine motor, but had limitations in community life skills such as economic life, work skill, time understanding and punctuality, and locomotor skill.
As to the adaptive behavior level according to background variables, the level was not different according to gender and age but was different according to the degree of disability. That is, the adaptive behavior level was inversely proportional to the degree of disability (mild, moderate, severe or profound). In other words, the adaptive behavior level was lower when the severity of disability was high.
As adaptive behavior profile for people with intellectual disabilities showed diverse strengths and limitations, it is necessary to make and apply education and transition plans appropriate for individuals’ characteristics.
Second, support needs for people with intellectual disabilities were high in general. Among the support needs, the need of employment was highest, which was followed by social activities, community living, family living, and lifelong learning, showing an extensive support need level. However, the need of health & safety showed a limited support need level.
As to the support need level according to background variables, the level was not different according to gender, but was different according to age and degree of disability. That is, the support need level was proportional to the degree of disability (mild, moderate, severe or profound). In other words, the support need level was higher when the severity of disability was high. According to age, the support need level was highest in the age group of 16-18, and overall support needs and their sub-factors such as home life, employment, and health & safety were different.
The result that the adaptive behavior level was not different according to age but the support need level was highest in those at the age of 16-18 may be associated with the fact that those in the age group are required to play relatively many roles at home and in school and exposed frequently to changes in situation and environment. It is also believed that those in this age group prepare transition to social life and thus their related expectations and demands increase their support needs for employment activities.
Third, a negative correlation was observed between adaptive behavior and support needs for people with intellectual disabilities.
The negative correlation between adaptive behavior and support needs means that those with high adaptive behavior require less support needs and those with low adaptive behavior require more support needs.
Such a negative correlation between adaptive behavior and support needs is significant in that deficiency in adaptive behavior lead for people with intellectual disabilities to require more support needs.
Adaptive behavior influencing support needs is related to the domains of practical skills. In particular, locomotor skill influences five domains of support needs except home living.
This finding demonstrates that supports for community life for people with intellectual disabilities should include practical and direct assistance as well as educational interventions and transition programs.
Future studies should explore further the relation between adaptive behavior and support needs focusing on various variables extracted from extensive areas and, based on the findings, to develop and apply outcome-based education and transition programs sufficiently reflecting adaptive behavior characteristics and support needs intensity for people with intellectual disabilities.