Children with learning difficulties (mental handicaps) need to learn a number of key community survival skills if they are to lead fully independent lives in the adult world. Research on community skill training for adults with learning difficulty has indicated that service provider-led programmes bring positive change. Studies concerning home-based carer-led training of self-care and domestic skills for children with learning difficulty have also shown positive results, but little has been reported on the potential of carer-led training in the vital areas of community survival skills. A study is now in progress, however, to compare the effects of carer-led with service provider-led training of pedestrian skills for this population. The main aim of the study is to compare the effects of carer-led with service provider-led training in terms of both skill outcome gain an time efficiency. (A)
Abstract