The Sentence Completion and Three Wishes tasks: windows into the inner lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
Two five-minute sentence tasks give reliable self-views from people with ID across a wide age span.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Researchers gave two quick tasks to 128 people with intellectual disability. The tasks were Sentence Completion and Three Wishes. Ages ranged from 5 to 50. Each task took about five minutes. The goal was to see if these short prompts could reveal reliable self-views tied to specific syndromes like Down syndrome.
What they found
The five-minute tasks worked. They pulled out self-perceptions that matched the person's syndrome. For example, different ID groups showed different worry patterns. The data were consistent across the large sample. No extra tools or long tests were needed.
How this fits with other research
Maïano et al. (2009) also made a brief ID tool, but they used pictures to rate physical self-concept. Their form took longer and needed reading skills. E et al. used spoken prompts, so even non-readers could join. Luiselli et al. (2026) later created a staff form for quality of life in adults with ID. That tool relies on caregiver reports. E et al. let the person speak for themself, giving a direct voice to inner thoughts. Together, the three papers show a trend: short, tailored tools beat long generic ones.
Why it matters
You can add these two tasks to your intake packet today. They take five minutes and need no kit. Use them with non-speaking or low-verbal clients to learn what they care about. Match answers to known syndrome profiles to spot hidden worries. Then fold those wishes or fears into your treatment plan. Quick voice, better goals, stronger rapport.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Measuring the self-perceptions, thoughts, hopes and inner lives of persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) has long been a research challenge. Unlike objective or projective tests, semi-projective tasks may provide persons with ID with just enough structure or cues to convey their self-perceptions in a spontaneous and unbiased manner. METHODS: Sentence Completion and Three Wishes tasks were individually administered to 128 persons with ID aged 5-50 years (mean = 18.75 years). Participants had Prader-Willi, Williams or Down syndromes. Content analyses resulted in 19 codes that were used to reliably score both tasks by independent raters who achieved excellent levels of inter-rater agreement. Participants also received IQ testing, and their parents or care providers completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). RESULTS: Frequent themes across both tasks included activities, positive affect, desired objects, and relationships with family and pets. No gender or IQ effects were found, and just a few codes showed modest age effects. Several responses, including dating, friends, food, and positive or negative self-appraisals, were significantly related to either syndrome status or CBCL maladaptive behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Although not widely used, the Sentence Completion and Three Wishes tasks are useful semi-projective techniques for garnering otherwise hard-to-access self-perceptions and associations of people with ID. Implications are discussed for practice and research.
Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR, 2007 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2788.2006.00937.x