Guidelines for Conducting Socially Valid Systematic Preference Assessments

Systematic preference assessment is the process of presenting sampling trials and observing the person's response. The response to those items is then interpreted as an indicator of preference. The empirical research on systematic preference assessment has greatly advanced the field's understanding of how to identify the preferences of individuals with nonsymbolic and limited symbolic communication skills. The purpose of this paper is to translate this research into guidelines for planning systematic preference assessments that strive to reduce the risk of missing or misinterpreting the person's preferences, as well as increase the social validity of the process and outcomes. We present four guiding questions for practitioners to plan preference assessments: (a) What will be offered? (b) When and where will sampling opportunities take place? (c) Who will present the sampling options? and (d) How will sampling options be presented?

Test-Retest Reliability and Criterion Validity of a Motion Video, CD-ROM Program Designed to Allow Youth with Disabilities to Select Preferred Jobs

Consistent with person-centered planning and federal legislation, a video CD-ROM program was used to help youth with disabilities identify their job preferences. The program was administered to 56 participants at 60-day intervals. Results indicated that selections of general work conditions were highly consistent whereas selections of specific job choices were slightly less consistent. Validation procedures consisted of comparing the video CD-ROM program to the Reading-Free Vocational Interest Inventory - Second Edition (RFVII : 2) (Becker, 2000). The video CD-ROM program selections did not correlate highly with the RFVII: 2 selections. However, they correlated highly with general interest areas (i.e., occupational sample areas) of the RFVII: 2. The study represents an initial attempt to evaluate the reliability and criterion validity of the video CD-ROM program.

Communication Strategies of Adults with Severe Disabilities

Individuals with significant developmental disabilities are often considered by others to be dependent and incompetent. They are frequently defined by their deficits rather than their abilities. New concepts such as self-determination have challenged researchers and service providers to think differently about the abilities of individuals considered to have severe intellectual disabilities. Analysis of communicative events between individuals with and without severe disabilities provides evidence that individuals who are often considered least able to do indeed communicate, asserting control over their environments and activities. Careful attention to communication reveals that behaviors that on the surface appear to be random, maladaptive, or challenging are purposeful, even useful. The author proposes that embedded in each communicative act, there is a drive toward self-determination, but that in order for self-determination to be actualized, communication partners must learn to apprehend, and respond appropriately to, the messages.

"I'm supposed to be in charge": self-advocates' perspectives on their self-determination support needs

In this qualitative interview study, we explored the perceptions of adults with intellectual disability regarding interpersonal or social supports needed to express their own self-determination. Specifically, 10 adults, all members of a self-advocacy group, were asked to discuss their understanding of the term self-determination and ways in which support staff have either supported or inhibited their self-determination. Ten themes characterizing supportive and impeding staff actions were identified. The need for greater exploration of environmental and social influences on self-determination is emphasized.

Self-determination and mental retardation: is there an association with living arrangement and lifestyle satisfaction?

Self-determination and lifestyle satisfaction of 80 adults with mild or medium mental retardation living in group homes or their parents' homes were examined. They were assessed in regard to self-determination, as indicated by choices made in the domestic, financial, health, social, and work domains. Lifestyle satisfaction with residence, the community, associated services, and employment was also assessed. Results show that those from group homes were lower on self-determination but higher on lifestyle satisfaction, providing support for the commitment to normalization and community inclusion to enhance lifestyle satisfaction. However, questions about the extent to which people with mental retardation are afforded decision-making opportunities and self-determined behavior remain. We suggest that service providers and caregivers should encourage and create such opportunities.