Opportunities for Psychological Support and Accompaniment of YOUNG People with Intellectual Disabilities in Employment

Abstract

Purpose. The research reveals the possibilities of psychological support and advisory support for young people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in the process of their employment and work activities in order to achieve positive dynamics in matters of their professional self–determination, painless integration into the professional community and development in the profession. Procedure and methods.The study involved young people with ID aged 18 to 32 years (N=123). The experimental technology of included employment, developed on the basis of a professional labor experiment, a case method, methods of resource and positive psychotherapy, SPT, involves differentiation of the levels of readiness for employment of persons with ID (minimum, medium, sufficient) and selection for each level of the route accompaniments, which includes the provision of psychological counseling and support: employment, protected employment and escorted employment in the open market. Results and conclusions. The introduction of the technology showed that the leverage that activates the personal resources of the readiness of young people with ID to perform work tasks is specially organized working conditions and psychological support in the experimental social enterprise "Special Assembly" in combination with group trainings and individual counseling. The results of the provision of counseling psychological assistance and psychological support was a significant increase in the number of people with a sufficient level of readiness for independent work (from 27.64% to 40.65%), the indicator of responsible attitude of employees with ID towards team members increased from 1.58% to 36.50% of respondents, anxiety about failures in work activity decreased from 2% to 33.50% of respondents, 47.61% of people with ID established communication with friends at a sufficient level. 51 people are employed in the open labor market.