Background: It is mandatory for staff in Swedish community services for people with intellectual disabilities to report incidents of error or malpractice. Aim The aim is to study if incident reports contribute to developing quality in services for people with intellectual disabilities who present with challenging behaviours. Method: 159 reports on…

This study examines differences in domains of quality of life (satisfaction; choice and control; dignity, respect, and rights; inclusion; physical setting; family satisfaction) among people with intellectual disability and varying levels of support needs in a variety of residence types. The sample includes 2,639 people with intellectual disability…

Background: This paper reports on some of the findings of a large-scale survey (n = 852) of family members and support staff of adults with intellectual disabilities receiving community living services in British Columbia, Canada, concentrating on comparison of outcomes across four types of community residential settings: group homes, family model…

The literature review about deinstitutionalization and normalization of the retarded highlights findings about the relationship between successful programs and size, staff-to-resident ratio, cost, client characteristics, program type, community support, family involvement, and peer relationships. (Author/SB)

Examined deinstitutionalization and community facilities for emotionally disturbed adolescents through statewide survey of 125 licensed group-care providers and field research methods at five small residential facilities. Results suggest these facilities are a new type of social setting with no direct correlation to other types of institutions.…

The article describes Benhaven, a residential program of group homes in Connecticut, which provides intensive programing for autistic and neurologically impaired children. Examined are the program's administration and management, treatment services, support services, and family and community involvement. (DB)

Patterns of staff communication with people living in three community-based residential facilities supporting persons with disabilities were examined by observing 16 staff persons for 2 hours each as they communicated with residents. Frequencies of communication were found to differ across activities and residents (communicative partners) but not…

The study discusses the development of attitudinal measures regarding community based residential facilities for retarded adults and presents results from two tests administered to 75 adults living near a facility housing 36 retarded adults. It is explained that interviews were conducted with the adults to determine their previous contact with…

Changes in sizes and types of residential facilities for persons with mental retardation over the past two decades are discussed and interstate variability (as of June 1988) in residential services examined. Progress, though unevenly realized, is noted in numbers of small, community-based residential opportunities. Standards for federal policy are…

Comprehensive assessment of personality traits of 110 direct service personnel employed in community residential units for the intellectually disabled was conducted. Overall, personnel exhibited nonaberrant profiles of personality traits, and there was a notable lack of psychopathology. Sensitivity was significantly elevated, seemingly a desirable…

A curriculum development model was formulated for training resident advisors (RAs) to work with developmentally disabled clients in small community homes. Overall findings suggested that the alternative living arrangement pilot training programs were highly effective in helping students acquire the knowledge and skills requisite to successful RA…

Fifteen mentally retarded adults living in group home and intermediate group residences (IGR) were interviewed. All participants spent majority of their time in their homes. Men played a more active role in their integration than did women. IGR men and women went less often into the community and rarely (IGR men) or never (IGR women) went out…

The survey found that of the 1,389 mentally retarded persons living in community supervised residential settings in Southwestern Ontario, 49 percent received some type of psychoactive drug. Specifically, 23 percent received anticonvulsants; 14 percent, neuroleptics; 5 percent, sedative/hypnotics; 3 percent, antidepressants; 3 percent,…

This paper examines factors associated with meaningful family involvement in program planning for community residential services for individuals with mental retardation. It is argued that personnel in placement settings are often ambivalent about more family involvement. Guidelines for involving families at every stage both before and after…

This paper reviews 27 studies of parental attitudes on the deinstitutionalization of a family member with disabilities. Studies of existing institutional placements found high levels of satisfaction and opposition to deinstitutionalization, whereas studies of community placements found high levels of satisfaction with community placements and…