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: Professionals/Healthcare Providers
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
How to Navigate Providing a New Diagnosis of Autism
This free training is designed to support providers in discussing autism characteristics with patient/client families – whether they are delivering formal diagnoses themselves, or navigating conversations around autism-related characteristics and common questions. Model scripts/discussion points, audio/video examples, interactive learning activities, and links to resources are included. Providers will learn to: Structure and lead discussions around… Read more How to Navigate Providing a New Diagnosis of Autism
Optimizing the Autism Eligibility Process in Schools: A Team-Based Approach
Toolkit The purpose of this toolkit is to introduce a framework for engaging in team-based, family and student-centered autism evaluations that are data-focused and designed to identify the specific areas of educational impact to be targeted for intervention. This toolkit will progress through a series of five key steps, starting from the time a concern… Read more Optimizing the Autism Eligibility Process in Schools: A Team-Based Approach
Promoting Self-Determination in Early Childhood Services
Toolkit This toolkit is intended for early childhood care providers who want to learn more about how to promote self-determination skills in early childhood, including early interventionists, developmental specialists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, behavior analysts, preschool teachers, and anyone else who provides intervention and support to young autistic children and children with developmental disabilities. Click here to… Read more Promoting Self-Determination in Early Childhood Services
Promoting Neurodiversity in Early Childhood Services
Toolkit This toolkit is intended for early childhood care providers who want to learn more about how to promote neurodiversity in early childhood, including early interventionists, developmental specialists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, behavior analysts, preschool teachers, and anyone else who provides services to young autistic children and children with developmental disabilities. Click here to access… Read more Promoting Neurodiversity in Early Childhood Services
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
Getting Outdoors
Children and adults with disabilities and their families will benefit from time spent outside in a number of ways. Research has shown children who regularly play outdoors tend to be less stressed and more creative, which ultimately can lead to happier, healthier, and more confident children. Time in nature also can encourage a sense of… Read more Getting Outdoors
Oral Health for Children With Disabilities
Taking good care of the teeth and gums is critical to a person’s overall health. Healthy teeth and gums allow people to chew food, speak properly, avoid pain and tooth loss, smile, and feel good about themselves. Children with disabilities are almost twice as likely to have unmet oral health care needs than their peers… Read more Oral Health for Children With Disabilities
Nutrition and Children With Disabilities
What nutritional concerns are common in children with disabilities? Many children with disabilities have health issues that can impact their nutritional well-being and eating habits. This makes meeting your child’s nutritional needs even more important. Some issues that might affect your child include: Slower oral-motor development Larger tongues, smaller teeth, challenges with chewing Food texture… Read more Nutrition and Children With Disabilities