Stereotyped behaviour in children with autism and intellectual disability: an examination of the executive dysfunction hypothesis.

BACKGROUND: Increasing attention has been paid to the executive dysfunction hypothesis argued to underpin stereotyped behaviour in autism. The aim of this study is to investigate one component of this model, that stereotyped behaviours are related to impaired generativity and compromised behavioural inhibition, by examining whether episodes of these behaviours terminate naturally without external intervention. METHODS: Using a naturalistic observational methodology the stereotyped behaviours of six participants with autism were recorded in real time over periods ranging from 3.59 to 9.20 h. Data were also recorded for teaching staff interactions with participants and environmental settings (one-to-one, group and freetime). RESULTS: In comparison with one-to-one settings stereotyped behaviours were more frequent when participants were in freetime settings with the exception of one participant. For the termination of stereotyped behaviours these behaviours stopped with no ongoing physical or verbal adult contact being evident for a median of 73.25% of the time. Additionally, for a median of 89.40% of the time stereotyped behaviour stopped without the initiation of adult contact. DISCUSSION: The termination of bouts of stereotyped behaviour was frequently not associated with any adult contact and thus this form of external intervention. This finding warrants explanation by extending the hypothesis that compromised impaired generativity and behavioural inhibition offers a complete explanation of stereotyped behaviours.

Changes in the quality of life of people with learning disabilities who moved from hospital to live in community-based homes.

This paper describes a longitudinal study of the change in quality of life experienced by 36 residents of community-based homes after leaving a hospital for people with learning disabilities. The measure used to evaluate quality of life was Living in a Supervised Home: A Questionnaire on Quality of Life (Cragg and Harrison, 1986). The questionnaire was completed before and after the study group left the hospital. The analyses of the scale shows that there has been a considerable improvement in the quality of life of people who have moved from hospital to community-based homes. Specific data are presented from quality of life sub-scales relating to the use of community facilities and contact with other members of the community.

A longitudinal study of the quality of life of older people with intellectual disability after leaving hospital.

A study was made of the quality of life of 29 older people with intellectual disability who left hospital to live in ordinary three- or four-bedroom houses. A short version of the Questionnaire on Quality of Life was used to measure quality of life before moving and at three points in the first 53 months after changing residence. Results showed that there were improvements in quality-of-life subscales in the first 41 months with an eventual levelling out after 53 months. Social and leisure activity have been identified as particular important in the quality of life of older people. Therefore, items from the scale that measure participation in community leisure activities, contact with people without intellectual disability during these activities and engagement in leisure activities within the home were selected for detailed analysis. These data also showed increased activity and contacts in the first 41 months with a levelling out after 53 months.