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JCPSLP Volume 18, Number 2 2016 59
Table 2. Summary of the 12 studies included in the review in order of study strength (continued)
Blyth &
Gardner,
2007)
Explore
contributing
factors leading
to SDF take-up
North-west
England, United
Kingdom
N = 7 parents
of children with
disabilities
Qualitative
semi-
structured
interviews
Grounded
theory
approach
Major themes identified:
– Reducing caregiver stress
– Greater sense of autonomy
& control
– Greater sense of choice
and flexibility in selecting
additional supports
– Greater social participation
4/10
Major
weaknesses:
– Limited
information on
data analysis
Weaver,
2012
Evaluation of
SDF by the
Integrated
Disability
Service, a
support service
for people with
disabilities
Warwickshire,
England, United
Kingdom
N = 10 families
with children
aged 0–19
years) with
disabilities
Qualitative
semi-
structured
interviews
Anecdotal reports of:
– Autonomy/control,
confidence and
independence
– Greater social
participation
– Improved family and social
relations
– Improved emotional
well-being
– Not aware of available
options to spend budget
on
– Limited choice on what to
spend budget on
3.5/10
Major
weaknesses:
– Limited
information
provided on
findings
– No analysis of
results
Welch et
al., 2012
To explore
families’
motivations
for and
experiences of
using SDF
United Kingdom
Participants
recruited from
21 Aiming High
for Disabled
Children
Pathfinder
authorities;
and 2 Change
Champion
authorities
43 families who
had received
SDF subsample
from N = 93)
Open-ended
questions
from self-
administered
questionnaire
Benefits to using SDF
– Increased flexibility
– Autonomy/control
Process difficulties
– Information
– Eligibility
– Assessment
– Administration
3/10
Major
weaknesses:
– Unclear how
the sample
was selected
– Methods of
data collection
unclear
– Qualitative
data analysis
lacked rigour
Cowen,
Murray,
& Duffy,
2011
Evaluation
of the use
of SDF for
young adults
with complex
needs exiting
secondary
school
Sheffield, United
Kingdom
N = 23 young
adults with
complex needs
and their
families
Qualitative
case studies
Anecdotal reports of:
– Autonomy/control
– Greater social participation
– Employment gains
1/10
Major
weaknesses:
– Limited
information on
study design,
recruitment
and analysis
Donnelly &
Brooke-
Mawson,
2008
Pilot evaluation
of the use
of IBs for
young adults
with learning
disabilities
exiting
secondary
school
Bradford,
Yorkshire,
United Kingdom
N = 6 young
adults with
learning
disabilities and
their families
Qualitative
case studies
Anecdotal reports of:
– Greater sense of
autonomy, control, and
flexibility
– Reduction in stress
– Improved quality of life
– Time management and cost
a challenge
– Limited choice of what to
spend money on
0.5/10
Major
weaknesses:
– Limited
information on
study design,
recruitment
and analysis
Note. SDF = self-directed funding IB = Individual budgets