Improving Clothing and Grooming Appearance of Students With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Evaluation of a Measurement Checklist and Care Provider Intervention

Abstract

There is limited research concerned with the physical appearance of persons who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. This study evaluated a clothing and grooming measurement checklist and care provider intervention to improve the physical appearance of four students (18- to 21-years-old) with neurodevelopmental disabilities. The measurement checklist was easy to administer, time-efficient, and associated with good interobserver agreement (IOA). Implemented in a multiple baseline design, the care provider intervention had an immediate and sustained positive effect with all students. We discuss measurement and intervention considerations, outcome objectives, and research directed at physical appearance among dependent populations.