An Exploration of Staff's Support with Adults with Autism in Occupational Engagement in their Daily Lives
Citation:
O'REILLY, AISHLING, An Exploration of Staff's Support with Adults with Autism in Occupational Engagement in their Daily Lives, Trinity College Dublin.School of Medicine, 2019Download Item:
Abstract:
Background: The researcher views people with autism as occupational beings, who often need support to participate and engage in valued occupations in their day to day life. There is a paucity of research relating to factors affecting the support of adults with autism in occupational engagement in their day to day lives, within the context of an Irish disability service. Aims: The study aimed to explore staff members' perspectives on support of adults with autism in occupational engagement in participation, communication, social contact, hobbies and interests and daily routines in an Irish autism specific disability service. The research objectives facilitated the exploration of factors affecting staff in their support of adults with autism. Method: The qualitative descriptive method generated data through semi-structured interviews (N=8). Purposive sampling delivered three day service staff, three residential service staff, and the two garden participants. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: The findings highlight the skilled work of the participants in the exploration of and support for the person's own goals. Their skilled ability in quality interactions through the process of attunement was demonstrated. The participants presented as person-centred in their thinking, whereas they considered that the system is not. In particular, the residential service environment impacted on staff's ability to achieve person-centred care. The results highlight the value that participants hold on relationships with, for and by service users in maintaining friendships and having a meaningful experience of community. Relationships between frontline staff and their management were critiqued. A disconnect between what is being measured as quality and participants' experiences of quality in residential services is critical of regulation approaches. The burden of administration on staff was considered to impact negatively. Conclusion: The importance of reflection, supervision and emotion management was highlighted in the results of this study, prioritising the personhood frontline staff. Good leadership from management was considered to be essential to achieve person-centred care.
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https://tcdlocalportal.tcd.ie/pls/EnterApex/f?p=800:71:0::::P71_USERNAME:OREILLA8Description:
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Author: O'REILLY, AISHLING
Publisher:
Trinity College Dublin. School of Medicine. Discipline of Occupational TherapyType of material:
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Autism, Occupational Engagement, Autism in AdultsMetadata
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