Abstract
Individuals over the age of 21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities lack funding for skilled OT services. As a result, they are often cared for by paraprofessionals, and the individual’s participation in meaningful occupations declines. In this study, staff at an adult day center received two training sessions on providing client-centered care. Information gathered from this study supports the need for OT as a consultative resource for educating paraprofessionals.
Primary Author and Speaker: Anita Ross
Additional Authors and Speakers: Nicole Roberts, Lauren Morton
Lack of funding, and decrease in skilled services provided to individuals over the age of 21 with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities/developmental disabilities (ID/DD) result in them being cared for by paraprofessionals with limited training. Receiving inadequate supports can result in both occupational alienation and occupational deprivation (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Occupational alienation occurs when an individual participates in meaningless occupations resulting in decreased self-expression. Occupational alienation occurs simultaneously, which is described as the continuous preclusion from engaging in occupations as a result of uncontrollable factors (Whitford, 2003). Occupational engagement is central to all humans because participation in meaningful occupations promotes increased health and well-being. The overall purpose of the study is to examine the impact of training staff on client centered care when working with adults with disabilities in an effort to increase engagement in meaningful activities for the individuals they care for. What is the effect of skilled, consultative occupational therapy training on the perceptions of paraprofessionals in providing client-centered care at an adult day center?
This is an exploratory, mixed-methods study aimed to examine the effects of a two-module training program on the perceptions of paraprofessionals.Purposive sampling was used as a flyer was posted in an adult day center to recruit participants. Inclusion criteria: paraprofessionals providing care and GED or high school diploma. Participants were administered two training sessions on providing client-centered care (Topics: improving the staff client relationship and facilitating engagement in occupations). Following sessions, data was collected via pen and paper questionnaires. Quantitative data was collected through a one group paired pre-test post-test questionnaire created by researchers and reviewed by an Associate Provost with expertise in creating non-biased statements. Questionnaire data analyzed through SPSS. Qualitative data was collected via a set of 5 open-ended questions distributed with the post-test survey and separately coded in MaxQDA by 3 researchers. Five themes were extracted utilizing investigator triangulation.
Information gathered from this study supports the idea of occupational therapy in a consultative role. OT’s can have a powerful influence by training paraprofessionals to increase engagement in occupations for all populations and communities. By utilizing information gathered from the research study, OT’s can implement more effective and appropriate training modules for paraprofessionals providing care to adult ID/DD population. The information will enable occupational therapists to assume a consultative role and gain a deeper understanding of the needs of paraprofessionals. Successful trainings for paraprofessionals is in alignment with the AOTA Vision 2025 and will help maximize the health and well-being of adults with ID/DD in addition to promoting increased engagement in meaningful occupations. Following awareness, OT’s will feel inspired to fill the gap and promote engagement!
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. http://www.apa.org/advocacy/education/idea/index.aspx
Whitford, G. (2003). When people cannot participate: Occupational deprivation. In C. Christiansen & E. Townsend (Eds.), An introduction to occupation: The art and science of living (pp. 221-242). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.