Analyzing context to improve outcomes: research and best practices

Abstract: Context matters in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and is acknowledged as an influencing factor in various approaches to understanding and developing systems of supports. However, there is not a shared and common understanding of context, how to operationalize it, and how to leverage contextual analysis to drive change in outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Researchers have engaged in work to operationally define context, recognize the multidimensionality of context, and define methods (i. e., contextual analysis) to assess contextual factors and drive systemic change. This paper provides an overview of this work, highlighting how a multidimensional understanding of context as multifactorial, multilevel, and interactive can recognize the totality of circumstances that comprise context. Using this understanding can drive contextual analysis and the implementation of a context-based change model to enhance personal outcomes. Ways contextual analysis can advance the adoption of a shared citizenship paradigm to advance personal and systemic outcomes is described.