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

Children and Stuttering (for parents)

What Is Stuttering? According to the Stuttering Foundation, stuttering occurs when the flow of speech is broken by repetitions (li-li-like this), prolongations (lllllike this), or abnormal stoppages (no sound) of sounds and syllables. Unusual facial and body movements amy also be associated with the effort to speak. What Causes Stuttering? While the exact causes of… Read more Children and Stuttering (for parents)

Supporting Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders (for teachers)

What are Emotional or Behavioral Disorders (E/BD)? The term emotional or behavioral disorders (E/BD) refers to a variety of conditions and symptoms that impair the learning, social functioning, safety, and behavioral health of children or adolescents. E/BD may occur in conjunction with a variety of other developmental disabilities, and when their presence leads to eligibility… Read more Supporting Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders (for teachers)

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

Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities (for parents)

How will my children relate to one another? Sibling relationships are often the longest-lasting relationships that your children form. Like all brothers or sisters, they may or may not develop close emotional relationships depending on individual differences and circumstances. Regardless, a child’s reaction to a sibling with a disability will have a lasting effect on… Read more Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities (for parents)