Enabling Change and Home Participation for an Individual with Intellectual Disability: A Case Study in Complex...

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Intellectual disability
• Interdisciplinary practice

Background:

• Limited visibility of occupational therapy in intellectual disability research and practice.
• Need for understanding occupational therapy's role during critical transitions for individuals with intellectual disability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the role and impact of occupational therapy for an individual with intellectual disability and behaviors of concern.
• To identify contributions and mechanisms of occupational therapy in facilitating change.

Main Methods:

• Case study design.
• Multi-source data collection.
• Two-stage analysis of occupational therapy implementation and change mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Environmental modifications, reduced participation barriers, sensory approaches, and interdisciplinary collaboration led to positive outcomes.
• Occupational therapists' expertise, diverse knowledge, and navigation of influences were key mechanisms for change.
• Observed improvements include reduced behaviors of concern, increased occupational participation, stabilized routines, enhanced occupational performance, and increased staff confidence and motivation.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapy is valuable in enabling participation and fostering change in complex intellectual disability contexts.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration and tailored occupational therapy interventions are crucial for individuals with intellectual disability.
• The study demonstrates occupational therapy's effectiveness in improving quality of life and daily functioning.