Peer Interactions among Children with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities during Group Activities.
BACKGROUND
Children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) meet other children with PIMD in day care centres or schools. This study explores the peer-directed behaviours of children with PIMD, the peer interaction-influencing behaviour of the direct support workers and the children's positioning.


METHODS
Group activities for children with PIMD initiated by a direct support worker were video-recorded. The behaviour and positioning of the children and the behaviour of the direct support workers were coded.


RESULTS
Limited peer-directed behaviour of the children with PIMD and peer interaction-influencing behaviour of the direct support workers are observed. Weak associations were found between the positioning or peer interaction-influencing behaviours and the behaviour of children with PIMD.


CONCLUSIONS
Children with PIMD show social interest in each other during group activities. More knowledge is needed to create an environment which facilitates peer-directed behaviours of persons with PIMD.
Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Sara
S
Nijs
Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Anneleen
A
Penne
Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Carla
C
Vlaskamp
Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Bea
B
Maes
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055815:Young Adult
group activities; peer interactions; peer-directed behaviour; positioning; profound intellectual and multiple disabilities; social scaffolding