Developmental Disabilities

SC6-Making my own choices: Using Cognitive-Orientation to daily Occupational Performance to support goal setting in young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Presenter: Megan Westendorf, Samantha Conrad, & Evguenia Popova

Description: This presentation explores the feasibility and benefits of using metacognitive strategies to promote independent goal-setting in young adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Participants (ages 14-25) self-identified occupations of interest and received one-on-one intervention guided by the Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach. At the end of intervention, participants demonstrated increased capacity to problem-solve, make choices, and identify goals. In addition to discussing our research findings, we present case studies that illustrate how CO-OP can be translated into practice to support occupational participation in work, leisure and social participation in adolescents and young adults with IDD in community-based settings.