A comparison of the impact of curriculum on the perceived level of self-determination in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Higher levels of perceived self-determination (SD) in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often correlate to improved post-school outcomes in education, employment, independent living, and relationships. It is imperative that instructional practices used with students with IDD address the behaviors and skills that a person must possess to be self-determined. This study used a quasi-experimental design to measure the perceived level of self-determination (SD) and the four essential characteristics of self-determined behavior and skills: autonomy, self-regulation, psychological empowerment, and self-realization in 18 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The curriculum used was Life Centered Education (LCE) (Wandery, Wehmeyer & Glor-Scheib, 2013). Results of the study revealed statistically significant differences in self-regulation interpersonal cognitive problem-solving norm sample and self-regulation interpersonal cognitive problem-solving positive scores between participants with an intellectual disability compared to those with a developmental disability. Additionally, there were significant differences in mean scores between disabilities in all four essential characteristics of self-determination.