The period of transition from high school is challenging for most adolescents. There are a substantial number of life-changing decisions that transpire during this time. Choices must be made regarding career paths, continued education, future residence, and avenues for social activities and general integration in the community. Person-centered planning provides a structure for addressing these questions, with the interests and aspirations of the individual at the forefront. While much has been written about person-centered planning, there is still a sparse evidence base to support its use and no formal examination of the fidelity of implementation of these programs. This study utilized a multiple-baseline single subject design to assess the effects of structured meetings with performance feedback on fidelity of implementation of participants' action plan steps in their person-centered plan. Analysis of the results suggests a strong functional relation between the use of structured follow-up with performance feedback and activity related to the person-centered plan action plan. Quality of life data were also gathered prior to planning and prior to and following the performance feedback intervention, with little change in the scores across the three points in time. Social validity was also assessed. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Abstract Sexual autonomy is the right and capacity of each individual to decide and make choices about whom, when, and how they express themselves sexually. Individuals with intellectual disabilities have frequently been marginalized, oppressed, and left out of discussions about sexuality placing them at risk of abuse, unsafe sex practices, and unplanned pregnancies. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the usefulness of person-centered planning techniques in the development of an individual service plan that address the social-sexual needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Purposeful sampling was used to select 8 participants for this study. Specific participants were selected because they possessed personal perspectives and experiences regarding person-centered planning techniques. Data collection included semi-structured, open-ended questions with face-to-face interviews and document review. Code development began with systematic organization of narrative data that was thematically analyzed using open-coding. Findings showed the person-centered individual service plan is a tool that can empower and promote social-sexual autonomy for individuals with intellectual disabilities if service and support administrators initiate a conversation about social-sexual activity. Implications for social change include increased advocacy for sexual autonomy, greater social acceptance of relationships, inclusive sexuality programming for individuals with intellectual disabilities and professional development training for service and support administrators.

This study documents an experience in which a small group of cognitively and developmentally disabled adults expressed their personal goals and views related to art museum visits. A review of literature related to disability studies, museum access and inclusive programs, art therapy, and person-centered thinking provide background and context. Case study and qualitative interviews are used as methodologies to support an investigation of the use of person-centered thinking in the implementation of art museum programming for the study participants. Person-centered thinking is considered and assessed as an approach to structuring meaningful collaborations between visitors with disabilities and art museums. Data collected in the forms of visual and written response, observation, and documentation of interviews inform the findings, discussion, and analysis of the study's research goals. The resulting case study may be used by museums to structure visits with similar groups. This study contributes to a growing body of knowledge pertaining to how museums can best collaborate with disabled populations to create inclusive programs.

The foremost aim of this study is inherent in my primary research question which asks how the families of adult children with intellectual disabilities understand and experience the transition that takes place when their children age out of high school. In order to achieve this goal, I turned to the families themselves and asked participants to recount their lived experiences during this important transition. Throughout my data collection and subsequent analysis, I relied on methods common to interpretative phenomenology to guide my process and ensure its viability. To this end, I have conducted a phenomenological analysis of participant narratives and provide a comprehensive portrayal of how parents experience and understand the transition that takes place when their adult children with intellectual disabilities age out of school. I have strived to embed this study within the framework of the existing literature and policy pertaining to this transition. I have enhanced this research with an original content analysis of news articles pertaining to the post-school lives of adults with intellectual disabilities. Finally, I undertook interviews with community and government representatives. When taken together, these elements illustrate how difficult it is for the parents of young adults with intellectual disabilities to replace the services and supports that they lose when their adult children age out of high school in Ontario.