title: Residential immersive life skills programs for youth with physical disabilities: A pilot study of program opportunities, intervention strategies, and youth experiences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A pilot study was conducted to assess correspondence among measures of program characteristics (opportunities and intervention strategies) and youth experiences in a range of activity settings in a residential immersive life skills (RILS) program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Opportunities and intervention strategies were assessed in 18 activity settings in the 21-day program. On two occasions each, four youth completed a measure of experiences and took part in onsite interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was good convergence between observed program opportunities and the use of socially-mediated, teaching/learning, and non-intrusive strategies. Youth experiences of social interaction, choice, and personal growth were further informed by interview information. There was substantial convergence between program characteristics and youth experiences, indicating the program was provided and experienced as intended.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study indicated the fidelity of the program and the feasibility of using the measures in a future study. The preliminary findings suggest that RILS programs may provide a favorable environment for developmental experiences concerning social interaction, autonomy, and personal growth.
authors.affiliation: Bloorview Research Institute and Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: gking27@uwo.ca.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Bloorview Research Institute and Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Shauna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kingsnorth
authors.affiliation: Bloorview Research Institute and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McPherson
authors.affiliation: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Kimberlea
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jones-Galley
authors.affiliation: Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Madhu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.affiliation: Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fellin
authors.affiliation: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Timbrell
authors.affiliation: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Savage
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012114:Residential Treatment; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescents; Disabilities; Experiences; Independence program; Life skills; Program opportunities; Residential