Robert L. Schalock's research while affiliated with University of Nebraska at Omaha and other places
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Publications (259)
This article describes how rights, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the quality of life (QOL) framework are closely interrelated. Although legislation can be used as a tool for the practical application of QOL principles, QOL assessment information is required to further develop legislation and monitor the fulfillment of...
Social change is built on paradigms and models. A paradigm needs an operational action model to successfully implement the paradigm, and an operational model needs a paradigm to give it credibility and content. This article describes the Quality of Life Supports Model (QOLSM) as a major pathway for applying the quality of life (QOL) paradigm. The Q...
The impact on support services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities of the socioeconomic movements and theoretical reformulations of the last decades has generated the necessity, in order to guarantee their sustainability, to carry out processes of profound change in their organizational culture, intervening in the elements...
The Quality of Life Supports Model (QOLSM) is emerging as a new framework that is applicable to people with disabilities in general, but specially to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The aim of this conceptual paper is twofold. Firstly, it aims to show the overlap between the QOLSM and the Convention on the Rights of P...
The concept of quality of life (QOL) has become a measurable construct of great value to all people, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In particular, the field of IDD is currently experiencing a paradigm shift related to beliefs, assumptions, policies, and practices concerning people with disabilities and thei...
Background:
Dramatic changes in societal approaches to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and the services and supports they receive are reflected in a new paradigm that we name the shared citizenship paradigm. The shared citizenship paradigm (1) incorporates an updated and contemporary set of values and beliefs about p...
Changes in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) over the last 5 decades has resulted in the emergence of the shared citizenship paradigm. This paradigm is currently guiding the development of IDD-related policies and practices, and providing a framework for application, research-based inquiry, and evaluation. A shared citi...
This book, published in English and Spanish, is about the condition of Down syndrome across the life span, its conditions and challenges. It is about Quality of Life and learning as well as the needs for social inclusion. Basically it is about applied research in Down Syndrome including family and environmental supports. It is about practice and ap...
This article addresses the need to clearly understand professional responsibility and the critical role it plays in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), in shaping professions for the better, and in enhancing the functioning of society for the benefit of all. Understanding professional responsibility is e...
Quality of life measurement has increasingly become a useful method of assessing the impact of services and supports to individuals and families with intellectual, mental health, and neurodevelopmental disabilities. It is also useful for person-centered and family-centered planning. Quality of life is a social construct and, as such, is measured th...
Background:
The quality of life construct provides an ideal conceptual framework for translating such abstract concepts as self-determination, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Through consultation with expert raters, we sought to develop and validate a bank of indicators and items, based on the quality of life conceptual framework, to be used...
In the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) the constructs of quality of life and supports have been combined into a Quality of Life Supports Model (QOLSM) that is currently used internationally for supports provision, organization transformation, and systems change. With the model’s increasing and widespan use in research and...
Definition of Intellectual Disability and
Assumptions Regarding Its Application
(Schalock, Luckasson, & Tassé, 2021)
Intellectual disability (ID) is characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. This disability originates durin...
There has been a significant transformation in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) over the last 5 decades. Although this transformation has profoundly influenced multiple stakeholders, the field is currently at a critical juncture and facing a number of social and political challenges. Given the relevance of the question...
Background
Research practices in IDD need to align current values towards people with IDD, the current understanding of IDD, and best practices regarding change strategies and valued outcomes.
Aims
To describe the components to—and application of—a person-centered outcome evaluation model that meets the above criteria.
Methods and procedures
A pe...
El artículo presenta la integración operativa de los paradigmas de calidad de vida y apoyos en un modelo conjunto denominado Modelo de Calidad de Vida y Apoyos (MOCA) que integra características significativas de la transformación actual en el campo de las discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo. Estas características abarcan un enfoque holís...
Significant international work in the field of intellectual disability (ID) over the last decade has resulted in an emerging consensus regarding the definition of ID, the criteria used to diagnose a person with ID, the classification of individuals who have been diagnosed with ID, and the planning of individualized supports for people with ID. This...
Background:
A new paradigm, which we refer to as The Quality of Life Supports Paradigm, is emerging internationally in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. The new paradigm integrates the key concepts of "quality of life" and "supports". This article addresses the question of how one evaluates a new paradigm.
Method:
This is...
The AAIDD definition manual leads the field in understanding, diagnosing, and classifying the construct of intellectual disability (ID). The 12th edition integrates the findings and developments of the last 10 years and presents the operational definition in a systematic approach to diagnosis, optional subgroup classification, and planning of syste...
A balanced approach to decision-making during challenging times is necessary in order to avoid risks that jeopardize the lives and wellbeing of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The COVID-19 pandemic is the recent example of a crisis that places people with IDD at risk for lopsided societal reactions and threats to them...
Although inclusive education has evolved from a general principle to a recognized right, a quality inclusive education is still not a reality for students with intellectual disability. In this article, we discuss three approaches that can bridge the gap between “what is” current education of these students and “what should be”. First, we address th...
This article proposes the quality of life (QOL) construct as a framework from which to develop useful indicators to operationalize, measure, and implement the Articles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). A systematic review of the scientific literature on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)...
This article describes a comprehensive framework for incorporating moderator and mediator variables in program logic models and theory development as a useful way to better implement and evaluate policies and practices in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities related (IDD). Firstly, an overview of [program] logic models in the fi...
The article provides an overview and integration of work examining the multiple applications of context to enhancing personal outcomes, with a focus on how a clearer understanding of context can be leveraged in disability policy development, implementation, and evaluation. Specifically, a clear operational definition of context and an empirically b...
This article describes a multidimensional model of context that identifies, defines, and explains three key properties of context: multilevel, multifactorial, and interactive. The use of this model to drive a context-based enhancement cycle is also described. The enhancement cycle involves four steps: (a) identifying current interactions that influ...
This article discusses the processes and implications of going beyond environment to context. The article (a) provides an operational definition of context; (b) describes a multidimensional model of context that views context as being multilevel, multifactorial, and interactive; (c) describes how conceptual models of quality of life, human rights,...
Background:
The field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is currently experiencing a significant transformation that encompasses an integrated approach, especially regarding shared aspects such as a focus on the human and legal rights, the eligibility for services and supports, and an emphasis on individualized supports provided...
This chapter discusses three evolving developments that are influencing the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). A better understanding of disability‐related constructs is based on clear operational definitions. These operational definitions provide a distinction among the constructs of disability, intellectual disability, an...
This article describes a systematic approach to enhancing the personal well-being of children and adolescents with intellectual or closely related developmental disabilities. The article incorporates international trends in disability-related policies and practices and proposes a quality of life framework for implementing the approach, which consis...
This article discusses the use of assessed quality of life scores for organization and systems-level monitoring and reporting, quality improvement, and research. Information presented is based on the experiences of policy makers, service/supports providers, and researchers who have used an eight-domain quality of life model and the measurement of d...
This article describes a model that systems can use to build contexts that enhance human functioning and promote valued outcomes for individuals with intellectual disability (ID). Our premise is that that systems have a responsibility to build contexts that enhance human functioning and promote valued outcomes for people with ID, and that this obli...
This article describes a four‐component context‐based change model that can be used to unfreeze the status quo and drive change that enhances valued outcomes of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The model's components involve contextual analysis, planning, doing, and evaluating. The article also includes guidelines for synthe...
This article describes a holistic theoretical framework that can be used to explain intellectual disability (ID) and organize relevant information into a usable roadmap to guide understanding and application. Developing the framework involved analyzing the four current perspectives on ID and synthesizing this information into a holistic theoretical...
The purpose of this article is to discuss six ideas that are currently impacting policy makers and service/support providers in the field of intellectual and closely related developmental disabilities. These six ideas are that people are influenced by multiple systems, disability should be approached holistically, disability policy needs to be appr...
The purpose of this article is to discuss six ideas that are currently impacting policy makers and service/support providers in the field of intellectual and closely related developmental disabilities. These six ideas are that people are influenced by multiple systems, disability should be approached holistically, disability policy needs to be appr...
Societal views on the rights of persons with disabilities have changed over the last few decades. Evolutions are reflected in international conventions, as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) developed to guide policies and practices. However, knowledge about the implementation of the Convention remains...
The seven chapters composing this Administration Manual offer the user an overview of the quality of life concept and its assessment, and best practices in the assessment of one’s quality of life. One of those best practices is to provide the same quality of life indicators/items to those who are responding for themselves (i.e., self-report) and th...
Purpose:
In order to cope with the challenges that are the result of an aging population, policies and services promote keeping elders in the community and letting them age in place rather than sending them to specialized institutions. Aging in place refers to the option where people can stay in their homes as they age. This policy option, however...
Organization transformation is an increasingly important concept and process in human service organizations as
they adapt to rapidly changing challenges and opportunities to enhance their effectiveness, efficiency, and
sustainability. This article describes a four-component organization transformation model that incorporates
transformation pillars,...
This article provides a framework for an integrated approach to disability policy development, implementation, and evaluation. The article discusses how a framework that combines systems thinking and valued outcomes can be used by coalition partners across ecological systems to implement disability policy, promote the effective use of resources, in...
The enormous effects of public policy-both for good and for ill-in the lives of people with intellectual disability and related developmental disabilities demand the development of stronger tools for policy analysis, and more effective strategies for policy implementation and evaluation. The purpose of this special issue is to help readers understa...
The purpose of this article is to move the field of intellectual and closely related developmental disabilities (IDD) towards a better understanding of evidence and evidence-based practices. To that end, we discuss (a) different perspectives on and levels of evidence, (b) commonly used evidence-gathering strategies, (c) standards to evaluate eviden...
The Supports Intensity Scale-Children's version (SIS-C) was developed to provide a standardized measure of support needs of children with intellectual disability. Over half of the norming sample had a secondary diagnosis of autism. Using this subset of the sample, we engaged in exploratory analysis to examine the degree to which latent clusters wer...
Intellectual disability originates during the developmental period and is characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. In this article, we present a brief history of the diagnostic criteria of intellectual disability for both the...
Background This study describes the sociodemographic, clinical, and functional characteristics of a representative sample of service users in Italy. The supports provided by formal agencies, natural networks, and actual levels of quality of life (QOL) were assessed.
Methods The participants were 1,285 individuals with intellectual and developmental...
Currently, disabilities organizations are increasingly being challenged by the requirement for individualized service, expectations to show personal outcomes, and the need to base their services on evidence-based practices. Social entrepreneurship (SE) is being put forward as an innovative approach for dealing with these challenges. This article pr...
This article integrates the concepts of sustainability and quality improvement into a systematic approach to an organization's sustainability. The article: (a) presents a literature-based model that incorporates the factors that drive an organization's sustainability; (b) describes how sustainability is operationalized through a systematic approach...
The Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale (DABS) was developed using item response theory (IRT) methods and was constructed to provide the most precise and valid adaptive behavior information at or near the cutoff point of making a decision regarding a diagnosis of intellectual disability. The DABS initial item pool consisted of 260 items. Using IRT m...
This study compared the reliability, validity, and measurement properties of the Supports Intensity Scale–Children’s Version (SIS-C) in children with autism and intellectual disability (n = 2,124) and children with intellectual disability only (n = 1,861). The results suggest that SIS-C is a valid and reliable tool in both populations. Furthermore,...
This article discusses three steps involved in moving us toward a theory of individual quality of life: developing a conceptual model, integrating theory components, and applying and evaluating the theory. Each of the proposed steps is guided by established standards regarding theory development and use. The article concludes with a discussion of c...
Background/Objective: Literature shows that practicing physical activity improves the general health and quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities. However, there is little empirical research on the specific benefits physical activity provides and to what extent these benefits occur. The goal of this study was to examine the impact o...
Background
Goals and objectives as mentioned in Individual Support Plans (ISPs) were analysed to explore what domains of quality of life they are associated with, what support resources are referenced for achieving the goals, and how domains and resources are related to clients age, gender and intellectual disability (ID) level.
Method
A total of...
Background:
The Diagnostic Adaptive Behaviour Scale (DABS) is a new standardised adaptive behaviour measure that provides information for evaluating limitations in adaptive behaviour for the purpose of determining a diagnosis of intellectual disability. This article presents validity evidence and reliability data for the DABS.
Method:
Validity e...
This article describes a systematic approach to subgroup classification based on a classification framework and sequential steps involved in the subgrouping process. The sequential steps are stating the purpose of the classification, identifying the classification elements, using relevant information, and using clearly stated and purposeful subgrou...
This article discusses how context can be used as an integrative framework to align and promote the seamless integration of disability policies, systems of supports, and personal outcomes in the field of intellectual disability. We describe how disability policy goals serve as inputs to an integrative approach to context, and personal outcomes serv...
The purpose of this article is to discuss 10 Clinical Judgment Standards and associated best practice indicators based on current literature and an understanding of the context of clinical judgment. Throughout the article, we stress the important role that clinical judgment plays in formulating valid and precise decisions and recommendations regard...
By focusing on evidence-based practices this article asks us to pursue jointly what are best practices, who is a professional, and what does it mean to be an effective and efficient organization. Both professionals and organizations provide services and supports that enhance the personal well-being and personal growth of their clientele. In discuss...
This article focuses on intellectual disability, a construct that is operationally based on demonstration of significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. It must also be manifest prior to age 18. The article discusses intellectual disability in the context of an ecological model of disability that considers human...
This article discusses how education initiatives reflected in federal education reforms, statutes, and proposed agendas might be integrated and aligned using a quality of life (QOL) conceptual model. The article incorporates key aspects of the following into such an integrative framework: the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act; a framework...
Abstract This article presents the framework of a dynamic approach to quality of life (QOL) enhancement based on the conceptualization and measurement of individual-referenced quality of life. Sections of the article summarize the premises of QOL enhancement, provide the rationale for a dynamic approach to QOL enhancement, discuss six components of...
The Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale (DABS) was constructed with items across three domains — Conceptual, Social, and Practical adaptive skills — and normed on a representative sample of American individuals from 4 to 21 years of age. The DABS was developed to focus its assessment around the decision point for determining the presence or absence...
The supports paradigm is based on the premise that the most relevant difference between people with intellectual disability and related developmental disabilities (ID/DD) and the general population is that people with ID/DD need different types and intensities of support to fully participate in and contribute to society. The supports paradigm is ch...
This article presents an operational definition of “context” and discusses its components and assumptions with respect to the field of intellectual disability. The authors synthesized the literature upon which the definition is based and described how the definition can be used in the field of intellectual disability both to describe the personal a...
Over the last three decades the concept of quality of life has evolved in the intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) field from a philosophically-based sensitizing notion to a values-driven and empirically-based framework for organization and systems change. The purpose of this chapter is to describe how the quality of life concept has...
Thirty-six neonatal albino rats were intubed twice daily for 30 consecutive days under one of six L-phenylalanine or saline conditions to determine if there was a critical period in the development of their learning ability that was most sensitive to L-phenylalanine induced toxicity. Each S was tested on the Maier reasoning test and on DRL: 12 oper...
Abstract This article summarizes the five major characteristics of the transformation era and describes how intellectual and closely related developmental disabilities organizations can apply specific transformation strategies associated with each characteristic. Collectively, the characteristics and strategies provide a framework for transformatio...
While the use of quality of life-related personal outcomes has been broadly reported during the last decade, little attention has been paid to the use of such data as a basis for developing and using Provider Profiles at the organizational and systems level. This article illustrates a way in which these evidence-based outcomes may be used not only...
Abstract This article focuses on the power of naming, defining, diagnosing, classifying, and planning supports for people with intellectual disability. The article summarizes current thinking regarding these five functions, states the essential question addressed by the respective function, and provides an overview of the high stakes involved for p...
Abstract This article focuses on recommendations for naming, defining, diagnosing, classifying, and planning supports for individuals with intellectual disability (ID). The article provides an overview of the essential questions addressed by the respective functions and provides a series of specific recommendations that address the high stakes invo...
Quality of life scores obtained from self‐reports might not be the same as those obtained from a family member or direct support staff. The purpose of the two studies reported in this article was to evaluate further the impact on quality of life scores of self‐report vs. proxy ratings. The Personal Outcomes Scale was administered to persons with an...
This article describes how evidence-based outcomes (EBOs) can be used to improve clinical, managerial, and policy decisions. As a component of evidence-based practices, EBOs are defined as measures obtained from the assessment of quality of life-related indicators that are based on a cross-culturally validated quality of life conceptual and measure...
This article updates the current conceptualization, measurement, and use of the adaptive behavior construct. Major sections of the article address an understanding of the construct, the current approaches to its measurement, four assessment issues and challenges related to the use of adaptive behavior information for the diagnosis of intellectual d...
Background The changed societal views of persons with disabilities are reflected in the 2006 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. However, what is not specified in the Convention is how to operationalise and measure the Articles composing the Convention, and how to use that information to further enhance the human r...
Background:
The current functional models of disability do not adequately incorporate significant changes of the last three decades in our understanding of human functioning, and how the human functioning construct can be applied to clinical functions, professional practices and outcomes evaluation.
Methods:
The authors synthesise current litera...
This article discusses the use of assistive technology (AT) in the context of three current international trends in the field of intellectual disability (ID) that are significantly impacting the delivery of services and supports to persons with ID: the provision of systems of supports based on the individual's assessed support needs, the increased...
The authors describe a conceptual and measurement framework that provides a template for guiding policy development and systems change. The framework is built on the concepts of vertical and horizontal alignment, system‐level processes, and organization‐level practices. Application of the framework can structure the thinking and analytic activities...
The concept of quality of life (QOL) is increasingly being used as a support provision and outcomes evaluation framework in the field of intellectual disability (ID). The present study used a hierarchical multiple regression research design to determine the role that available supports strategies, environmental factors, and client characteristics p...
En las últimas décadas, las convenciones internacionales han procurado orientar las políticas públicas hacia la defensa de los derechos de las personas con discapacidad. La Convención Internacional sobre los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad (Naciones Unidas, 2006) supone un salto cualitativo con respecto a tratados anteriores al establecer...
This article addresses two major areas concerned with the evolving understanding of the construct of intellectual disability. The first part of the article discusses current answers to five critical questions that have revolved around the general question, "What is Intellectual Disability?" These five are what to call the phenomenon, how to explain...
In the field of intellectual disabilities (ID), the quality of life concept has been developing rapidly in Chinese societies including Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan. However, there is a lack of locally validated instruments to measure the quality of life of people with ID. The study reported in this paper attempted to validate the Chinese Qu...
This study is aimed to achieve two general goals. The first is to present the quality of life (QOL) conceptual and measurement
framework that is currently being used to implement QOL-related program practices, to assess and report personal outcomes,
to guide quality improvement strategies, and to evaluate the effectiveness of those practices and st...
The purpose of this chapter is to present a framework for the measurement and use of quality of life-related personal outcomes
for persons with intellectual and closely related developmental disabilities. The chapter is composed of two major sections.
In the first section (“the measurement of quality of life-related personal outcomes”) the author d...
