My Skills Coach Building Competency Pak: A Self-Regulating Tool for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability with Co-occurring Behavioral Health Issues

This Phase II project builds upon previous research to further develop the My Skills Coach (MSC) application to create a competency pack of self-regulating tools for individuals with an intellectual disability (ID) and co-occurring behavioral health (BH) issues and their support staff. The MSC app portion of the Building Competency Pak assists consumers in building their personal self-regulation skills toolbox and offers in-vivo skills coaching support via their own avatar for use in day programs. Phase II objectives include: (1) utilize data from Phase I to design the Phase II prototype, (2) enhance and expand the features and functions of the prototype in preparation for an expanded field study, (3) perform an extended usability evaluation of the MSC in day program settings; and (4) prepare for a smooth transition to commercialization. The outcome of this Phase II project is the MSC Building Competency Pak online emotional regulation skill learning program allowing individuals with ID/BH to increase their self-regulation behaviors further promoting their independence, enhancing self-esteem, and creating opportunities for self-regulation skill development through respectful and non-invasive approaches.