Õie Umb-Carlsson

Cognitive assistive technology and professional support in everyday life for adults with ADHD

Abstract Purpose: An evaluation of a model of intervention in everyday settings, consisting of cognitive assistive technology (CAT) and support provided by occupational therapists to adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The purpose was to study how professional support and CAT facilitate everyday life and promote community participation of adults with ADHD. Method: The intervention was implemented in five steps and evaluated in a 15-month study (March 2006 = T1 to June 2007 = T2). One questionnaire and one protocol describe the CATs and provided support. Two questionnaires were employed at T1 and T2 for evaluation of the intervention in everyday settings. Results: The participants tried 74 CATs, with weekly schedules, watches and weighted blankets being most highly valued. Carrying out a daily routine was the most frequent support. More participants were working at T2 than at T1. Frequency of performing and satisfaction with daily occupations as well as life satisfaction were stable over the one-year period. Conclusions: The results indicate a higher frequency of participating in work but only a tendency of increased subjectively experienced life satisfaction. However, to be of optimal usability, CAT requires individually tailored, systematic and structured support by specially trained professionals. Implications for Rehabilitation Adults with ADHD report an overall satisfaction with the cognitive assistive technology, particularly with low-technological products such as weekly schedules and weighted blankets. Using cognitive assistive technology in everyday settings indicate a higher frequency of participating in work, but only a tendency of increased subjectively experienced life satisfaction for adults with ADHD. Prescription of cognitive assistive technology to adults with ADHD in everyday settings requires individually tailored, systematic and structured support by specially trained professionals.

The prerequisites for QoL of people with intellectual disabilities

Quality of life (QoL) is seldom described in terms of the essence of what it is. Also, an essential task for the research community is to create space for the voices of people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of the present study was to understand the lived meaning and the essence of QoL in adults with this disability. Using a phenomenological approach, 21 informants living in a Swedish county were interviewed. The interviews were audio taped and analyzed with the empirical phenomenological psychological method. The results indicate that the general essence of QoL consists of well-being and five themes: social adult status, control of life, personal safety, social belonging and self-chosen solitude. The results challenge the stereotype of the informants as passive receivers of support from others. The interrelatedness between the five themes of QoL should be further studied.

Comparison of Reports by Relatives and Staff on Living Conditions of Adults With Intellectual Disabilities

Proxies typically serve as information providers in studies of persons with intellectual disabilities. However, little is known about the concordance between different proxy categories and how proxy characteristics influence the information provided. We compared 89 pairs of relative and staff reports on the living conditions of persons with intellectual disabilities, using percentage agreement and Cohens kappa statistics. Results demonstrate differences between relative and staff reports for most of the domains investigated, with moderate agreement for objective items and fair agreement for subjective items. Relative and staff proxies contributed different information related to diverse viewpoints and varying types of information. Thus, we suggest that information provided by proxies should not be treated as being interchangeable but, rather, as complementary.

Support in Housing: A Comparison Between People with Psychiatric Disabilities and People with Intellectual Disabilities

The primary objective of this study was to compare type of housing and support in housing in two groups (people with psychiatric disabilities and people with intellectual disabilities) typically dependent on support in everyday life. A second objective was to examine whether type of housing and support in housing were related to gender within the two groups. Information was obtained by available questionnaire reports provided by staff members. The results indicate unequal accessibility of support in housing in relation to the two groups. Moreover, the findings suggest that type of disability is a more determining factor than gender regarding support in housing.