Abstract:
This study looked at increasing the levels of activity engagement among adults with intellectual disability in the most efficient way possible. In order to accomplish that, the activity recording procedure of Altus, Engelman, and Matthews (2002) with dementia patients was systematically replicated and expanded. The activity recording procedure simply entails a staff member recording the activities the resident engaged in during the observational session. Little training is required for the procedure, thus a cost efficient method of intervention. Five residents with intellectual disability who attend an activity centre in a residential facility in Auckland took part in this study. Three staff members from the activity centre agreed to participate and record the activities the residents engaged in during the observational sessions. Results revealed that activity engagement successfully increased for four out of five participants by the staff simply observing the residents engaging in activities. The check in procedure by Engelman, Altus, and Matthews (1999) was replicated and implemented for the participant (Betty) for whom the activity recording intervention did not produce desirable results. During the check in procedure, prompts and praise were offered to Betty by the researcher and by the staff members at every 15 minutes to engage in the daily activities. Results were again below the criterion of 20% increase of the mean percentage of time samples for the activity engagement. Although both interventions did not meet the criterion, the levels of activity engagement for Betty did show some increase. Results for the activity recording intervention suggest that a simple and efficient procedure may successfully increase activity engagement for adults with intellectual disability.
