Over-Assistance

The tendency of caregivers, family members, or support providers to complete tasks for a person with a disability rather than allowing them to perform the tasks independently, even when the person is capable. Over-assistance often stems from time pressure, concern about safety, desire for task completion, or underestimation of the person's abilities. Research shows that structured prompts explicitly instructing caregivers to reduce their level of help can effectively counter over-assistance, revealing that individuals with disabilities are often more capable than their caregivers assumed. Over-assistance is a significant barrier to developing independent living skills and can contribute to learned helplessness.