Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) Honours

School

School of Exercise and Health Sciences

Faculty

Faculty of Computing, Health and Science

First Supervisor

Dr Sonya Girdler

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To review the effectiveness of school to post-school transition programs for young adults with intellectual disability and their impact on community participation, friendships and quality of life. METHODS: Electronic searches of six databases and manual searches of reference lists were conducted to obtain evidence of programs supporting the transition of young adults with intellectual disability from school to post-school. Transition programs or services and postsecondary education programs targeted at increasing participation and peer interaction were included. Two reviewers undertook data extraction and quality assessment. A systematic review was possible. RESULTS: All eight articles reviewed, with a total of 573 participants, reported on the impact of the transition process and programs from school to post-school on the young adults with intellectual disability including the perceived barriers and facilitators to the transition process. Authors discussed outcomes of transition programs as community participation, friendships and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: School to post-school transition programs appear effective in encouraging community participation, social interaction and, ultimately, positively impact on the quality of life for young adults with intellectual disability. Varying sample sizes and the methodological quality of the studies allowed only for a systematic review. Future research using larger samples to examine the effectiveness of school to post-school transition programs across a variety of settings is required. This research should also examine issues such as the timing of services in relation transition from secondary school.

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