© Division on Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Stakeholder Opinions on Accessible Informational Products Helpful in Building Positive, Practical Solutions to Behavioral Challenges of Individuals with Mental Retardation and/or Autism

Abstract: The purpose of the study was twofold: (a) to explore the perceptions of administrators and policy makers, families, friends, individuals with challenging behavior and mental retardation and/or autism, researchers, and teachers regarding current behavioral information and dissemination and (b) to elicit suggestions on the kinds of user-friendly, low-cost informational products that they thought would be most helpful in increasing quality of life while reducing or eliminating behavioral challenges in individuals with disabilities. A qualitative method of inquiry using telephone focus groups and individual interviews was used. The study points to the importance of receiving condensed positive behavioral support information on both awareness and skill levels and to the continued existence of a longstanding gap between research and practice, a gap that exists despite the extensive research base on effective dissemination strategies and techniques. It has been well documented that a gap exists between what educational research and demonstration projects produce and what state and local education agencies practice (Beutler, Williams