The concept of supports originated about 15 years ago and it has revolutionized the way habilitation and education services are provided to persons with mental retardation. Rather than mold individuals in to pre-existing diagnostic categories and force them into existing models of service, the supports approach evaluates the specific needs of the individual and then suggests strategies, services and supports that will optimize individual functioning. The supports approach also recognizes that individual needs and circumstances will change over time. Supports were an innovative aspect of the 1992 AAMR manual and they remain critical in the 2002 system. In 2002, they have been dramatically expanded and improved to reflect significant progress over the last decade.
Supports are defined as the resources and individual strategies necessary to promote the development, education, interests and personal well being of a person with mental retardation. Supports can be provided by a parent, friend, teacher, psychologist, doctor or by any appropriate person or agency.
Why are supports important?
Providing individualized supports can improve personal functioning, promote self-determination and societal inclusion, and improve personal well-being of a person with mental retardation. Focusing on supports as the way to improve education, employment, recreation and living environments is an important part of person-centered approaches to providing supports to people with mental retardation.
How do you determine what supports are needed?
AAMR recommends that an individual’s need for supports be analyzed in at least nine key areas such as human development, teaching and education, home living, community living, employment, health and safety, behavior, social and protection and advocacy.
What are some specific examples of supports areas and support activities?
Human Development Activities
- Providing physical development opportunities that include eye-hand coordination, fine motor skills and gross motor activities
- Providing cognitive development opportunities such as using words and images to represent the world and reasoning logically about concrete events
- Providing social and emotional developmental activities to foster trust, autonomy and initiative
Teaching and Education Activities
- Interacting with trainers and teachers and fellow trainee and students
- Participating in making decisions on training and educational activities
- Learning and using problem-solving strategies
- Using technology for learning
- Learning and using functional academics (reading signs, counting change, etc.)
- Learning and using self-determination skills
Home Living Activities
- Using the restroom/toilet
- Laundering and taking care of clothes
- Preparing and eating food
- Housekeeping and cleaning
- Dressing
- Bathing and taking care of personal hygiene and grooming needs
- Operating home appliances and technology
- Participating in leisure activities with the home
Community Living Activities
- Using transportation
- Participating in recreation and leisure activities
- Going to visit friends and family
- Shopping and purchasing goods
- Interacting with community members
- Using public buildings and settings
Employment Activities
- Learning and using specific job skills
- Interacting with co-workers
- Interacting with supervisors
- Completing work related tasks with speed and quality
- Changing job assignments
- Accessing and obtaining crisis intervention and assistance
Health and Safety Activities
- Accessing and obtaining therapy services
- Taking medication
- Avoiding health and safety hazards
- Communicating with health care providers
- Accessing emergency services
- Maintaining a nutritious diet
- Maintaining physical health
- Maintaining mental health/emotional well-being
Behavioral Activities
- Learning specific skills or behaviors
- Learning and making appropriate decisions
- Accessing and obtaining mental health treatments
- Accessing and obtaining substance abuse treatments
- Incorporating personal preferences into daily activities
- Maintaining socially appropriate behavior in public
- Controlling anger and aggression
Social Activities
- Socializing within the family
- Participating in recreation and leisure activities
- Making appropriate sexual decisions
- Socializing outside the family
- Making and keeping friends
- Communicating with others about personal needs
- Engaging in loving and intimate relationships
- Offering assistance and assisting others
Protection and Advocacy
- Advocating for self and others
- Managing money and personal finances
- Protecting self from exploitation
- Exercising legal rights and responsibilities
- Belonging to and participating in self-advocacy/support organizations
- Obtaining legal services
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