Background: Adults with severe challenging behaviour can achieve good "quality of life" outcomes in small supported accommodation services. Yet, the research indicates that they typically experience poorer outcomes than other adults with intellectual disability. This raises questions about the degree to which research has informed…

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains largely untreated among adults with severe mental illnesses (SMI). The treatment of psychotic symptoms usually takes precedence in the care of adults with SMI. Such oversight is problematic in that PTSD in SMI populations is common (19%-43%), contributes a significant illness burden, and hinders mental…

A respite care program in New Jersey provides 50 families of mentally alert severely disabled adults with periodic relief. The program, which featured recreational and social activities, promotes the mental health of parents and families. (CL)

Carisbrooke Day Centre was established in Scotland to provide full-time day care for 12 adults with profound and multiple impairments. This paper describes staff selection, admission criteria, student assessment, and the Carisbrooke Wheel, which outlines a coordinated strategy for the delivery of services. (Author/JDD)

A program was developed to offer meal-related choices to adults with severe/profound mental retardation. Results indicated that the program, which included a choice-making skill assessment and teaching component along with a staff training and management component, effectively increased choice opportunities offered as well as actual choices made…

The monograph synthesizes findings of the Vocational Training and Placement of the Severely Handicapped Project (VOTAP) and offers recommendations for further research and development. Chapter 1 presents the theoretical model that describes the dimensions upon which the task of developing research and development recommendations could be…

This eight-chapter procedural guide outlines a supported work approach for competitive employment training of Mississippi citizens with moderate and severe disabilities. The first chapter defines competitive and supported employment and discusses funding, personnel, program options, and vocational curriculum development and assessment. The second…

This commentary on "Natural Supports in the Workplace: The Jury Is Still Out" (Test and Wood), argues that the principles of natural supports should not be subject to empirical testing because they function as a guide to strategy development and strategy selection. Discusses the difficulties in examining natural support strategies. (CR)

Presented is a program manual for the Adult Developmental Activity Program (ADAP), a structured work oriented service for substantially retarded and/or severely physically handicapped adults. Program information is organized into four sections: ADAP minimum standards, initial program planning and development factors, information on the ADAP…

This guide promotes the use of natural supports to assist individuals with severe disabilities. The first two sections review the development of natural supports in the workplace, including changes in perspectives on the role of persons with disabilities, utilization issues, and the definition of natural supports. A seven-step process reflecting…

This report describes the development of integrated community services for people with severe disabilities by Job Path, a New York City agency which currently provides services to approximately 250 people. A current emphasis of the agency is increased consideration of the individual's life outside of the work setting. Critical factors in the…

The Pioneer-Syracuse University Project was designed to help people with severe disabilities find community jobs and become integral participants in their work places, using on-site and off-site resources and supports from job personnel and other community members. Specifically, project staff who had directly trained and supported people with…

This report discusses the results of a case study of Working Order, a Pennsylvania program designed to develop entrepreneurs with and without disabilities by sharing the expertise, resources, and skills of small business owners. The strategy of the program is to invite competitive entrepreneurs, those who could likely produce and sell their…

Two studies replicated and refined a program for evaluating and improving residential treatment services during group leisure periods in living units for persons with severe developmental disabilities. Results indicated that provision of leisure materials and interaction with clients decreased maladaptive client behavior. The monitoring system…

A case study is presented of Westport Associates, a corporation in Westport, Massachusetts, which operates small group homes for formerly institutionalized men and women with severe disabilities. Westport Associates was founded to create the antithesis of an institution, to treat residents as individuals worthy of respect, and to offer residents…