Evan (28) has a severe intellectual disability and mobility problems: Health and Social Care Case Study, NUI, Ireland

Case Study:

Evan (28) has a severe intellectual disability and mobility problems.  One month ago, he moved from his parent’s home into supported housing with three housemates.   Evan needs help to get up and dressed when staff arrives at 7 am. Three of his housemates catch a bus to the day center at 9.  Staff helps them to get ready first then attend to Evan.

Evan goes to the day center (which he enjoys) later than the other three housemates.  He sees them being assisted and cannot understand why he cannot go with them.  Evan was used to signing using PECS, however, the staff has not had time to put his PECS board together yet.  If Evan wakes up at 7:30, the routine works well.   During the last week, he has begun to wake up at 6 am and has to wait until staff can help him to get up.   He has begun to shout and bang his head against the wall.    He bit a staff member who attempted to explain that he would help him in a few minutes’ time.      The stressed staff feels that he should not go to the day center owing to his “out of control” behavior.

1. What factors are contributing to Evan’s behaviors of concern? (30 marks)
2. Critically discuss ONE approach which might help Evan to have his needs met and enable the staff to respond more effectively to the behaviors of concern. (70 marks).

TIPS:

need to demonstrate a better understanding of what ID is (not a disease)

Remember to give definitions in your introduction, you need to define behaviors of concern, also define ID rather than calling it a disease.

Avoid the term ‘suffering’

minimum of 8 references required

Instead of psychotherapy (unlikely to be used with a client who has a severe ID &who communicates using PECS), you could discuss either low arousal or functional analysis or even Positive Behaviour Support.