Social interaction interventions for youth with severe disabilities should emphasize interdependence

Abstract

An emphasis on independence may be limiting the outcomes achieved by social interaction research. Given the lack of correlation between intellectual or adaptive functioning level and meaningful social outcomes for people with severe disabilities, a focus on increasing skills as a mechanism for increasing social outcomes seems misplaced (or, at least, inefficient). It is argued here that a more productive route for researchers to follow will be to emphasize interdependence. Implications of such a focus will change where interventions are implemented, curricular foci, and the types of instructional strategies used to improve the social life of youth with severe disabilities. MRDD Research Reviews 7:122-127, 2001.

Let’s talk about it: Peer victimization experiences as reported by adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

“…One such method to change attitudes and promote pro-social behavior toward students with ASD would be to implement a peer support program in which students without disabilities serve as social supports in the classroom for students with ASD (Kennedy, 2001). Through participation as a peer support, students without disabilities report feeling more comfortable advocating for students with disabilities, intervening to stop other students from teasing students with disabilities, and modeling acceptance of students with disabilities for other peers to see (Copeland et al, 2001).…”

Sexualidade e o adolescente com deficiência mental: uma revisão bibliográfica

“…Também se destaca a importância da inclusão na escola como um outro fator importante para o desenvolvimento social. Alguns autores defendem que a socialização se dá de modo mais eficaz quando os adolescentes com deficiência mental são integrantes de um processo educacional normal, quando comparado aos que freqüentam escola especial (Kennedy, 2001).…”

“…Repercussões familiares 1) Aramayo, 1993 1) Estudo epidemiológico e psicossociais (adaptação, 2) Rimmerman & Duvdevani, 1996 2) Estudo epidemiológico relação pais/filhos, 3) Hannah & Midlarsky, 1999 3) Estudo epidemiológico autonomia, discriminação) 4) Bramston & Fogart, 2000 4) Estudo epidemiológico 5) Silva & Dessen, 2001 5) Ensaio teórico 6) Kennedy, 2001 6) Ensaio teórico 7) Blacher, 2001 7) Ensaio teórico…”

Using the ABAS-II in Promoting and Evaqluating Autonomy for Adults with Cognitive Impairments

“…The deinstitutionalization and educational mainstreaming movements created an immediate desire for individuals with disabilities to receive the required skill training to successfully integrate into normalized environmental settings (Kennedy, 2001). Most individuals with disabilities lacked the basic social and life skills needed to independently function in community environments.…”

“…Increased independence is a key goal when working with individuals with mental retardation (Kennedy, 2001). Increased independence allows them to have increased access to the community and thus increased use of community resources and a quality of life.…”