Integrating supports in assessment and planning.
A systematic approach for addressing the support needs of persons with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities is presented and a new scale to measure individual differences in support needs described. The process employed in developing the scale is explained, including the establishment of a typology of support areas that was drawn from a review of the professional literature, a validation process using Q-sort methodology, and a pilot field test. Critical issues and practical challenges associated with efforts to measure and address the support needs of individuals are discussed.
Thompson
James R
JR
Department of Special Education, Illinois State University, Mail Code 5910, Normal, IL 61790-5910, USA.
Hughes
Carolyn
C
Schalock
Robert L
RL
Silverman
Wayne
W
Tassé
Marc J
MJ
Bryant
Brian
B
Craig
Ellis M
EM
Campbell
Edward M
EM
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012944:Social Support