The Physical Activity Support Needs and Strategies Scale: Its Development and Use

People with intellectual disability (ID) engage in insufficient physical activity which negatively affects their health. In accordance with the present conception of ID and the supports paradigm, the current study aimed to develop and psychometrically assess an instrument examining the support needs and strategies regarding physical activity by using individuals with ID (n = 529), service providers (n = 522), and family members (n = 462) as information sources. The analysis revealed adequate reliability for the proposed instrument, with α values between .70 and .80, and adequate construct validity for the versions of the scale for the 3 information sources, particularly for service providers. The assessment information can be included in Individualized Support Plans and could be used to design and implement the strategies for facilitating a person's physical activity in their community.