Sex education for individuals who have a developmental disability : the need for assessment

This study was an evaluation of the sexual knowledge of individuals who have '"a developmental disability and the effect of sex education. This was also a pilot study involving the evaluation of the Socio-Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Assessment Tool (SSKAAT; Griffiths & Lunsky, in press). This tool is a revised version of the Socio-Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Test (SSKAT; Wish, Fiechtl McCombs, & Edmonson, 1980). Thirty-two individuals participated in the study (20 males and 12 females), who were receiving supports from local community agencies. Participants were assessed using the SSKAAT and SSKAT in an initial assessment and in a 6-week follow-up. Sixteen participants received a 6-week sex education program, Life Horizons I and II (Kempton & Stanfield, 1988a, 1988b), between the assessments, while 16 participants served as a control group. It was found that sex education was successful at increasing knowledge regarding sexuality, as demonstrated by increased scores on both the SSKAT and SSKAAT. However, the current study did not demonstrate any significant effect of gender on knowledge about sexuality. It was also found that IQ did not have a significant effect on knowledge regarding sexuality. The present study found the SSKAAT to be very reliable, with test-retest reliabilities ranging from .87 to .99. This appeared to be an improvement over the original SSKAT, whose reliability ranged from .72 to .90. Furthennore, the revised SSKAAT was fOlmd to provide a much more in-depth assessment of sexual knowledge and attitudes for individuals who have a developmental disability.

Family attitudes toward the deinstitutionalization of individuals with developmental disabilities in Ontario : a quality of life analysis

The deinstitutionalization of individuals with developmental disabilities to community-based residential services is a pervasive international trend. Although controversial, the remaining three institutions in Ontario were closed in March of 2009. Since these closures, there has been limited research on the effects of deinstitutionalization. The following retrospective study evaluated family perceptions of the impact of deinstitutionalization on the quality of life of fifty-five former residents one year post-closure utilizing a survey design and conceptual quality of life framework. The methods used to analyze the survey results included descriptive statistical analyses and thematic analyses. Overall, the results suggest that most family members are satisfied with community placement and supports, and report an improved quality of life for their family member with a developmental disability. These findings were consistent with previously published studies demonstrating the short-term and long-term benefits of community living for most individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

A report on the implications of P.L. 95-602 for developmental disabilities planning in Illinois /

Cover title: Developmental disabilities P.L. 95-602.

Annual plan ... of the Illinois Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Title varies slightly.

Annual developmental disabilities state plan : fiscal year /

Cover title.

Annual plan for Mental Health Services, Developmental Disabilities Services.

As mandated by the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act (20 ILCS 1705).

Change strategies to assist agencies in developing supported living services for people with developmental disabilities /

This material has been funded through a grant from the Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Client based rate setting : funding the habilitation and care of the developmentally disabled : executive summary /

Principal investigators, Warren H. Bock, Robert Schalock, Burton Silverstein.

Consumer owned/controlled housing for people with developmental disabilities, single family housing : report prepared for the Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities /

"August, 1995."

Data and information report on service needs and issues affecting persons with developmental disabilities /

Cover title.

Developmental disabilities three year state plan : fiscal years 1992-1994 : State of Illinois /

"August 1, 1991."

Developmental disabilities three year state plan : fiscal years 1995-1997 : State of Illinois /

"August, 1994."

Developmental disabilities three year state plan /

Description based on: 1992-1994; title from cover.

Day camping for developmentally disabled and exceptional children /

On cover: Guidelines for establishing day camp programs.

Developmental disabilities three year state plan update : fiscal year 1996 : State of Illinois /

"August, 1995."