The purpose of this toolkit is to present ways for you to better include individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in research. It provides strategies to make the informed consent process go more smoothly for your participants with IDD. Individuals with IDD are often excluded from health-related research. Exclusion from research leads to reduced… Read more The Informed Consent Process for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Category: Adult with Disability
Tips for Mental Health Providers Serving Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Prevalence of mental health and developmental disabilities Psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, and anxiety disorders have been shown to be three to four times higher among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), compared with the general population (Pinals et al., 2021). Research has found that 35.7% of people with… Read more Tips for Mental Health Providers Serving Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Postsecondary Education for Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities
Why a Postsecondary Education? A postsecondary education can open a whole new world for people both with and without disabilities. The college experience allows one to broaden one’s interests, establish and pursue one’s goals, and form life-long friendships. In addition to a college education allowing for the possibility of a higher paying job, the social… Read more Postsecondary Education for Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities
Trauma and Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
What is trauma? Trauma is understood as experiences or situations that are emotionally painful and distressing. Trauma can overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope, leaving him or her to feel powerless. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) describe traumatic experiences in a person’s life occurring before the age of 18. Examples of traumatic events that can have… Read more Trauma and Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Why Take Part in Research
What is research and why is it important? Research is investigating a subject to discover new information, or to revise existing information. It allows us to better understand ourselves and the world around us. In the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities research, such inquiry can aid in understanding the role of genetics in development,… Read more Why Take Part in Research
Teaching Stranger Safety Skills to Children and Adults With Disabilities
Why Do Children and Adults With Disabilities Need To Learn Safety Skills? Compared to people without disabilities, individuals with disabilities are at increased risk of experiencing abuse, being taken advantage of or bullied, and being kidnapped. It is important for individuals with disabilities to be aware of potential dangers and to learn skills that protect… Read more Teaching Stranger Safety Skills to Children and Adults With Disabilities
Rett Syndrome
Rett syndrome is a progressive neurodevelopmental disorder that is defined by: apparently typical development in the first 6 months of life, a period of developmental regression followed by stabilization, loss of spoken language, problems with walking, loss of purposeful hand use, and distinctive repetitive, hand movements (hand stereotypies). Rett syndrome primarily affects girls and women… Read more Rett Syndrome
Disabilities: Federal and State Public Policy
What is disability? Disability is a physical or mental condition that can affect a person’s ability to think, learn, behave, communicate, feel, and/or relate. Disability is a natural part of the human experience and does not diminish a person’s right or desire to participate fully in all aspects of life. One in five individuals has… Read more Disabilities: Federal and State Public Policy
Preparing for an Emergency
Why Do I Need to Prepare for an Emergency? You may think you are never going to be in an emergency, so you don’t need to prepare. However, almost all Americans live where they are at moderate or high risk of natural or human-made disasters. You need to plan before a disaster hits, and be… Read more Preparing for an Emergency
Positive Parenting
Positive Parenting is a way to parent your child that focuses more on your child’s positive behaviors rather than on your child’s problem behaviors. Things to do: Praise your child and tell him exactly what you like about his behavior. “I like how you cleaned up your toys!” Ignore minor negative behaviors such as whining… Read more Positive Parenting