WHAT ARE SUPPORTS?

The concept of supports originated about 15 years ago and it has revolutionized the way habilitation and education services are provided to persons with mental retardation. Rather than mold individuals in to pre-existing diagnostic categories and force them into existing models of service, the supports approach evaluates the specific needs of the individual and then suggests strategies, services and supports that will optimize individual functioning. The supports approach also recognizes that individual needs and circumstances will change over time. Supports were an innovative aspect of the 1992 AAMR manual and they remain critical in the 2002 system. In 2002, they have been dramatically expanded and improved to reflect significant progress over the last decade.
Supports are defined as the resources and individual strategies necessary to promote the development, education, interests and personal well being of a person with mental retardation. Supports can be provided by a parent, friend, teacher, psychologist, doctor or by any appropriate person or agency.
Why are supports important?
Providing individualized supports can improve personal functioning, promote self-determination and societal inclusion, and improve personal well-being of a person with mental retardation. Focusing on supports as the way to improve education, employment, recreation and living environments is an important part of person-centered approaches to providing supports to people with mental retardation.
How do you determine what supports are needed?
AAMR recommends that an individual’s need for supports be analyzed in at least nine key areas such as human development, teaching and education, home living, community living, employment, health and safety, behavior, social and protection and advocacy.
What are some specific examples of supports areas and support activities?
Human Development Activities
Providing physical development opportunities that include eye-hand coordination, fine motor skills and gross motor activities
Providing cognitive development opportunities such as using words and images to represent the world and reasoning logically about concrete events
Providing social and emotional developmental activities to foster trust, autonomy and initiative
Teaching and Education Activities
Interacting with trainers and teachers and fellow trainee and students
Participating in making decisions on training and educational activities
Learning and using problem-solving strategies
Using technology for learning
Learning and using functional academics (reading signs, counting change, etc.)
Learning and using self-determination skills
Home Living Activities
Using the restroom/toilet
Laundering and taking care of clothes
Preparing and eating food
Housekeeping and cleaning
Dressing
Bathing and taking care of personal hygiene and grooming needs
Operating home appliances and technology
Participating in leisure activities with the home
Community Living Activities
Using transportation
Participating in recreation and leisure activities
Going to visit friends and family
Shopping and purchasing goods
Interacting with community members
Using public buildings and settings
Employment Activities
Learning and using specific job skills
Interacting with co-workers
Interacting with supervisors
Completing work related tasks with speed and quality
Changing job assignments
Accessing and obtaining crisis intervention and assistance
Health and Safety Activities
Accessing and obtaining therapy services
Taking medication
Avoiding health and safety hazards
Communicating with health care providers
Accessing emergency services
Maintaining a nutritious diet
Maintaining physical health
Maintaining mental health/emotional well-being
Behavioral Activities
Learning specific skills or behaviors
Learning and making appropriate decisions
Accessing and obtaining mental health treatments
Accessing and obtaining substance abuse treatments
Incorporating personal preferences into daily activities
Maintaining socially appropriate behavior in public
Controlling anger and aggression
Social Activities
Socializing within the family
Participating in recreation and leisure activities
Making appropriate sexual decisions
Socializing outside the family
Making and keeping friends
Communicating with others about personal needs
Engaging in loving and intimate relationships
Offering assistance and assisting others
Protection and Advocacy
Advocating for self and others
Managing money and personal finances
Protecting self from exploitation
Exercising legal rights and responsibilities
Belonging to and participating in self-advocacy/support organizations
Obtaining legal services