title: Attitudes toward Adults with Intellectual Disability: A Survey of Ontario Occupational and Physical Therapy Students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine attitudes of students in Ontario master's degree programmes in occupational therapy (MScOT) and physical therapy (MScPT) toward adults with intellectual disability (ID).
  
  
  METHODS
  A quantitative cross-sectional survey study was conducted. An electronic questionnaire was distributed to 1,255 MScOT/PT students at five Ontario universities via email, using a modified Dillman approach. Descriptive statistics were used to describe experiences, attitudes, willingness, and preparedness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall response rate was 17.9%. A total of 96.0% of respondents felt "quite" or "very willing" to deliver rehabilitation to adults with ID; however, 50.7% of respondents felt "not at all prepared" or "a little prepared" to interact with this population in a clinical setting. Of those who felt unprepared, 75.4% reported it to be due to inadequate knowledge. In addition, Ontario MScOT/PT students have neutral attitudes toward adults with ID.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While many MScOT/PT students are willing to deliver rehabilitation to adults with ID, a large proportion do not feel adequately prepared to interact with this population in a clinical setting. These findings could inform future research and curricular reform in the rehabilitation professions so that future clinicians are better prepared to provide support for this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto ; AIM Health Group, London & Strathroy.
authors.forename: Kayla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vermeltfoort
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto ; CBI Health Centre, Etobicoke.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Staruszkiewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto ; The Sports Clinic at Winston Park, Oakville ; Port Credit Physiotherapy, Port Credit ; Crossfit Mississauga, Mississauga.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Anselm
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto ; West Park Healthcare Centre.
authors.forename: Alma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Badnjevic
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto ; Crossfit Mississauga, Mississauga.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Switzer-McIntyre
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.
authors.forename: Euson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto ; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Ont.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balogh
keywords: attitude; intellectual disability; occupational therapy; students; survey