Browsing by Subject "Intellectual Disability"

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    D/deaf and hard-of-hearing young adults with intellectual disability?s experience of and their caregivers' and audiologists? perceptions of aural rehabilitation practices and tools utilized at schools for the D/deaf in Western Cape Province, South Africa
    (2023) Mashologu, Sandiswa; Kleintjes, Sharon
    Background: Hearing loss is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Aural rehabilitation may aid in reducing participation barriers and facilitating improved personal and environmental strategies to mitigate the disabling effects of hearing loss. It has been documented in research that there is limited literature available on aural rehabilitation practices and tools available for D/deaf and hard-ofhearing children and adolescents with an intellectual disability. Available literature on this topic showed that studies were mostly conducted in high-income countries, with no research studies conducted in South Africa. Aim: This study aimed to explore aural rehabilitation practices and tools utilized with D/deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents with a coexisting intellectual disability in public schools for D/deaf in the Western Cape, South Africa. Methods: An exploratory qualitative research design was chosen for this study to gather information and explore participants' experiences and perceptions of aural rehabilitation practices and tools utilized by them or on them. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three audiologists to gather information on their perceptions and experiences of aural rehabilitation practices and tools utilized with D/deaf and hardof-hearing children with an intellectual disability. Semi-structured interviews were also done with four Deaf young adults with a coexisting intellectual disability, as well as two caregivers and two parents of these young adults, to gather information on their experiences and perceptions of aural rehabilitation practices and tools that were utilized on them. Results: The scoping review findings indicate that management plans should be individualized and tailored to the child's specific needs, and practices and counselling should be family centred, particularly as inclusion of family members can provide practice in and improve communication at home with their child. Review findings also support consideration of cochlear implants as a treatment option for rehabilitation for deaf and hard-ofhearing children and adolescents with intellectual disability. From the data collected during the interviews there were four themes highlighted: (1) counselling (2) tools, which included three subthemes of hearing aids, cochlear implants as well as scales, checklists, and questionnaires (3) practices and (4) accessibility of audiology services. Discussion: Aural rehabilitation practices and tools that are utilized on D/deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents without an additional disability are also utilized on D/deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents with an intellectual disability in South Africa, even though their speech and language outcomes are generally poorer. The severity of intellectual disability is a major factor influencing this population's speech, language, and auditory outcomes. The findings of this study indicate that aural rehabilitation practices and tools should be selected based on the needs of the child or adolescent, and a family-centred approach to aural rehabilitation should be encouraged. Further, there is a significant need for additional research focusing on aural rehabilitation practices and tools utilized on this population in other settings within the South African context. Conclusion: To conclude it is a clear that there is aural rehabilitation practices and tools that are applicable for this population although one must consider that this population presents with unique needs thus they require more support than D/deaf and hard-ofhearing children and adolescents without an additional disability. Furthermore, there is gap in research relating aural rehabilitation practices and tools for this population
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    Health conditions and support needs of persons living in residential facilities for adults with intellectual disability in Western Cape Province
    (2013) Mckenzie, Judith A; McConkey, Roy; Adnams, Colleen M
    Background: Intellectual disability (ID) is a relatively high-incidence disability, with an increased risk of poor physical and mental health. Persons with ID also have lifelong support needs that must be met if they are to achieve an acceptable quality of life. Little is known about these health conditions and support needs in the African context. This study examines persons over the age of 18 years with ID in residential facilities in Western Cape Province. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the health conditions and support needs of persons with ID in Western Cape Province. METHOD: A survey of residents' health conditions and support needs was conducted in face-to-face interviews with the managers of 37 out of 41 identified facilities. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The survey comprised 2 098 residents (54% of them female), representing less than 2% of the estimated population of persons with ID in the province. The survey suggests that such persons experience a wide range of health conditions (notably mental health and behavioural issues) but have limited access to general health care and rehabilitation services. Furthermore, the daily living supports required for an acceptable quality of life are limited. The findings highlight the need for better health and support provision to persons with ID.
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    “Life’s About Choices”: Exploring the everyday occupational choices of young adults with intellectual disability in a community context in South Africa
    (2019) Goldberg, Cole; Kleintjes, Sharon; Adnams, Colleen
    Background: It is well documented in the literature in the intellectual disability field that choice people with intellectual disabilities is limited. The human need to experience and inform everyday life choices, and the limited opportunities to do so, results in a contemporary health and human rights issue. Research Question: This study aims to explore what informs the everyday occupational choices made by young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a community based setting in South Africa. Method: Qualitative interviews and a focus group were held with six young adults, who were recruited through a local non-profit training organisation. Results: Respondents identified (1) being different, (2) having limited choices, (3) accepting and staying small or (4) challenging and growing up, were the four core themes that arose from the interviews. Conclusion: It became evident that everyday occupational choices are co-constructed in context, where factors that were identified are consistent with those from the international literature which show that people with intellectual disabilities are widely stigmatised and prohibited from choice making, for several reasons, both intrapersonal and contextual. Implications: This study highlights the influence and importance of raising awareness and consciousness in society so that counter-hegemonic practices can promote occupational and social justice and change attitudes to ensure that people with disabilities have the choice to engage in balanced, meaningful occupations.