PhD conferral Mr drs. Willem M. Buskermolen

“If only I could tell …; measuring predictors for challenging behaviour in people with both intellectual disability and hearing impairment”

Keywords: intellectual disability, hearing impairment, problem behaviour, measurement tool

Meindert Buskermolen developed the Individual Behaviour Observation and Recording Scale (IBORS) for his research on potential internal and environmental risk factors for problem behaviour in people with both intellectual disability and hearing impairment. This scale is based on eight behavioural dimensions and five behavioural severity levels, whereby problem behaviour is defined as behaviour associated with level three or higher. Risk factors include impaired communication skills, lower levels of social resilience, autism and youth. Different environmental factors were identified for nearly all subjects. Encouraging self-reliance and improving communication skills is believed to be essential.