Exploring spontaneous interactions between people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities and their peers

Background
Peers living in the same group form important interaction partners for people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). Given the severity of their disabilities, direct support persons (DSPs) play a significant role in facilitating interactions between these peers. This study explores the spontaneous interactions between persons with PIMD and the possibilities provided by DSPs related to physical positioning.

Method
Observational data were obtained from 14 people with PIMD for three consecutive hours in a non-controlled situation.

Results
Of all 213 observed interactions, 5.1% were with peers, 73.4% with DSPs, 14.9% with the observer, and 6.5% with others. In 61.3% of the observed timeframes, the participants with PIMD were positioned in a way that made it impossible to touch or/and to look at a peer.

Conclusion
Generally, the observed positioning of the participants made contacts between peers nearly impossible. DSPs should create optimal conditions for interaction between peers.