The Effects of Participating in Book Clubs for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

The Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC) is an innovative program that allows individuals with intellectual disabilities to meet at book stores, libraries and read a book of the groups’ choice. The study of NCBC looked at five measures including language skill, motivation, behavioral problems, quality-of-life and overall satisfaction with the book club. The study was conducted at the Ohio State Nisonger Center. The participants were individuals who were either currently active in the book club and those who were no longer active in the book club. The participants were provided by the Columbus Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (FCBMR/DD) and various programs at the Nisonger Center. Ten participants who were still active in the club were matched based on age, gender, IQ and living environment with eight participants who were no longer active in the club. The expected results included improved language skills, increased motivation to read, learn and interact socially, a decrease in social behavioral problems and an overall higher quality-of-life. The actual results suggest that the need for social contact and community connectedness was evident in both members and non-members. There were fewer behavioral problems in active members, an increase in curiosity and motivation and an overall satisfaction with their experience in the book club. The theoretical implications suggest that individuals with intellectual disabilities who are exposed to reading and social environments will want to read and interact with other individuals in a social setting as well as read better and feel better about themselves in comparison to those individuals that are not exposed to reading in social settings. The practical implications suggest that the lives of people with mental retardation will live happier, more fulfilling lives when they have a feeling of social connectedness and encounter a stimulating environment.