Inventory of assessment practices in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities in three European countries

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the quality of assessment methods used in the support of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) is scarce. This study aimed to provide an overview of the assessment methods used in practice and to examine whether these instruments were studied for their psychometric properties for people with PIMD. METHOD: Professionals (N = 148) from three European countries completed a survey on assessment practices. We performed a literature search to find information about the psychometric properties of the instruments that were identified in the survey. RESULTS: Of the participants, 78.1% used assessments that were not developed for people with PIMD. Documentation on psychometric properties was found for 8 out of 116 instruments. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the instruments in use were not designed for people with PIMD, and information about their quality is lacking. Guidelines are needed regarding the use and development of assessment methods for people with PIMD

Biotic responses to climate extremes in terrestrial ecosystems

Anthropogenic climate change is increasing the incidence of climate extremes. Consequences of climate extremes on biodiversity can be highly detrimental, yet few studies also suggest beneficial effects of climate extremes on certain organisms. To obtain a general understanding of ecological responses to climate extremes, we present a review of how 16 major taxonomic/functional groups (including microorganisms, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates) respond during extreme drought, precipitation, and temperature.Most taxonomic/functional groups respond negatively to extreme events, whereas groups such as mosses, legumes, trees, and vertebrate predators respond most negatively to climate extremes. We further highlight that ecological recovery after climate extremes is challenging to predict purely based on ecological responses during or immediately after climate extremes. By accounting for the characteristics of the recovering species, resource availability, and species interactions with neighboring competitors or facilitators, mutualists, and enemies, we outline a conceptual framework to better predict ecological recovery in terrestrial ecosystems

Exploring spontaneous interactions between people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities and their peers

Background Peers living in the same group form important interaction partners for people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). Given the severity of their disabilities, direct support persons (DSPs) play a significant role in facilitating interactions between these peers. This study explores the spontaneous interactions between persons with PIMD and the possibilities provided by DSPs related to physical positioning. Method Observational data were obtained from 14 people with PIMD for three consecutive hours in a non-controlled situation. Results Of all 213 observed interactions, 5.1% were with peers, 73.4% with DSPs, 14.9% with the observer, and 6.5% with others. In 61.3% of the observed timeframes, the participants with PIMD were positioned in a way that made it impossible to touch or/and to look at a peer. Conclusion Generally, the observed positioning of the participants made contacts between peers nearly impossible. DSPs should create optimal conditions for interaction between peers

Definitions, signs, and symptoms of constipation in people with severe or profound Intellectual Disabilities::a systematic review

Background: It is difficult to diagnose constipation for people with severe or profound intellectual disabilities. Definitions for this are ambiguous, and the symptoms and signs are often unnoticed. The aim of this study is to identify clear definitions of constipation for people with different levels of intellectual disabilities and to identify signs and symptoms. Method: Guided by the PRISMA statement, a systematic review of the literature was conducted within electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, and PsycINFO. Definitions, signs, and symptoms were extracted and the quality of definitions was assessed. Results: In total, 24 studies were included. Quality of definitions ranged from poor to good quality. Standard and referenced definitions were used in ten studies, a self-composed definition was employed in eleven studies; and three studies did not refer to a source of the definition. The self-composed definitions had not been evaluated after being used for the target group, and no scientific substantiation was available. A broad range of signs and symptoms were described. Conclusions: No substantiated definition has been ascertained for constipation for people with severe or profound intellectual disabilities. Further research will be necessary to identify which signs and symptoms are important for defining constipation in this target group

Risk factors associated with challenging behaviour in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities

BACKGROUND: Several factors that correlate with the onset or continuation of challenging behaviour are mentioned in research. These are factors related to persons with ID, but also to direct support professionals and the context. Although many of these factors seem to affect the onset or continuation of challenging behaviour in people with ID in general, results are often inconclusive and have little focus on people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). The present study aimed to assess the extent to which known factors related to challenging behaviour are also applicable to a group of 198 people with PIMD. METHOD: To determine which factors were associated with challenging behaviour, univariate analyses on associations between known risk factors and challenging behaviour were conducted. The associated factors were then subject to a regression analysis to determine the extent to which they explain the prevalence of challenging behaviour and can thus be seen as factors associated with challenging behaviour. RESULTS: The results show that, in particular, factors concerning the personal characteristics of people with PIMD, such as sleeping problems and auditory problems, were related to the variance in mean frequency of challenging behaviour. Only one factor related to the direct support professionals was found: when these professionals had been offered training on the subject of challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities in general, they identified significantly more withdrawn behaviour. We found no contextual factors related to challenging behaviour. CONCLUSION: These findings are generally consistent with findings reported in other studies, especially concerning the personal characteristics of people with PIMD. Further research should focus on the effects of providing safe auditory environments and appropriate sleep schedules for people with PIMD on the occurrence of challenging behaviour

Validity of an instrument that assesses functional abilities in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities:Look what I can do!

Background: Research about the psychometric properties of the Behavioural Appraisal Scales (BAS) in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) is limited. This study evaluates invariance in factor structure, item bias and convergent validity of the BAS. Methods: Data on the BAS from two studies (n = 25; n = 52) were analysed using the oblique multiple group method. The scale structure and item ordering were compared in the two groups. Convergent validity was assessed by correlating scores on the BAS with scores on two other instruments. Results: Of all items, 16–18% correlated stronger with other subscales of the BAS than the subscale they were originally assigned to. Scale structure and order of difficulty differed between groups. Correlations between the BAS and two other instruments varied from low to excellent (r = .48–.85). Conclusions: The results support the construct validity of the BAS. Removing, reassigning and adapting items may enhance construct validity

A longitudinal study on cognitive aging in autism

Longitudinal studies on cognitive aging in autism are scarce, and largely underpowered, yet essential to obtain more conclusive results on cognitive changes in autism during adulthood. In the largest longitudinal study on cognition thus far, we aimed to get more insight into cognitive aging in autism. As pre-registered, we computed reliable change indices (RCIs) and multilevel models to estimate cognitive changes in 128 autistic, and 112 non-autistic adults (range: 24-85 yrs.) over two to three timepoints (average interval: 3.5 yrs.). Participants were tested on 15 outcome measures, covering verbal memory, visual (working) memory, prospective memory, theory of mind, fluency, response speed, inhibition, planning, and switching. RCIs showed no significant differences between groups (autism/no-autism) in changes over time. Using multilevel models, most tasks showed sensitivity to cross-sectional age-related effects, and/or longitudinal changes, with worse performance at older age, and later timepoints. However, effects were not significantly different between the autism and no-autism group. This lack of group differences was substantiated by additional Bayesian analyses. In sum, the current study provides evidence for parallel (similar) cognitive aging in autism. Specifically, autistic individuals diagnosed in adulthood, without intellectual disability, do not seem at risk for accelerated cognitive decline.</p

Tracing political positioning of Dutch newspapers

Computer Systems, Imagery and Medi