Promoting Independence for Teens and Young Adults with Physical Disabilities

Abstract

French

The transition to adult roles and responsibilities poses unique challenges for young people with physical disabilities. The Independence Programme (TIP) assists youths to meet these challenges. TIP is client-centred and addresses each participant's occupational performance problems. Participants live in a student residence located near shops, restaurants and other businesses for 20 consecutive days during TIP.

This paper describes TIP and results from the evaluation of one summer's programme. Ten youths with physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, participated. The programme was evaluated using interviews with each participant at the beginning and end of the programme, and at a four month follow-up with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) (Law et al., 1994a). Participants made clinically important changes in performance and satisfaction of their identified occupations. They rated this programme as the best experience of the summer. Participants valued the opportunities to learn about and access environmental supports, to assume greater independence, and to develop connectedness with peers.

Keywords

Autonomy Independent living skills Tests by title: COPM Young adult

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