Design of a short personal assistance model for people with intellectual disabilities in Chile

Abstract

Personal assistance for people with intellectual disabilities can contribute to the application of the new paradigms of self-determination and social inclusion and to an improvement in the quality of life. Through a literature review and analysis with professional experts, experts from experience and potential users, a brief model of personal assistance was developed to be executed by community agents with professional supervision. The model considers activities in the usual spaces of people and their families, with support for the use of community formal and informal resources and the reinforcement of social support networks that continue operating once the intervention ends. With duration of 9 months, the model is developed through a 3-stage process: 1) engagement and formulation of an individualized plan, 2) implementation of the plan, and 3) participants' learning reinforcement and transfer to support networks. The feasibility of the model in Latin American countries and the need for studies to evaluate its implementation are discussed.