engleski

Social competences of deinstitutionalized adults with autism spectrum disorder as a result of supported living in community

Only 12 % of persons with ASD will acquire sufficient independence level in the adult age. The adaptation of adult persons with ASD apart from their autistic culture depends on the fact that the majority of supported living programs are not properly adapted to their needs. Although the process of deinstitutionalization of persons with disabilities in the Republic of Croatia started 20 years ago, first supported community living for persons with ASD started two years ago. Adaptive behaviour as a combination of the developmental and practical abilities necessary for acquiring personal independence and social competence is widely used as a diagnostic parameter in the assessment of disability and required level of support, as well as a starting point for individualized and person cantered planning and their efficiency assessment. This study aims to determine changes in social competences of six girls, aged 22 to 34 years with complex needs support, who are after years living in an institution selected for living in the first community fully staffed group home in Zagreb. For the evaluation of the changes in social and personal competencies The Vineland Social Maturity Scale-II (Sparrow, et. all, 2005, Croatian adaptation, Sladić-Kljajić, 2010.) was used. It measures social competence, self-help skills, and adaptive behaviour from infancy to adulthood, was used for the assessment of personal and social skills, evaluated in the following areas: daily living skills (general self-help, eating, dressing) ; communication (listening, speaking, writing) ; motor skills (fine and gross, including locomotion) ; socialization (interpersonal relationships, play and leisure, and coping skills) ; occupational skills ; and self-direction. Maladaptive Behaviour scale was also applied. Raw scores were converted to an age equivalent score (expressed as social age) and a social quotient for persons with ASD. The assessment was carried out in the three time spots: a) at the beginning of transition program and during the preparation for relocation from institution, b) after a year and c) at the end of the second year of supported living in the community. Differences in acquired personal independence levels and social competencies were used as indicators for the evaluation of the Program of supported living. These findings are positive and statistically significant with a great potential for the application in future person cantered planning of support in community living in our conditions.

adult persons with autism ; deinstitutionalization ; program of supported living ; social competences

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