Friendships are personally valuable and developmentally important relationships for all people, yet friendships between students with and without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) remain infrequent, even in inclusive settings. Extant research indicates that opportunity barriers may play a more prominent role in friendship…

Polypharmacy is a risk factor for drug interactions (DI). Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at increased risk for polypharmacy and as such increased risk for potential DIs. The objectives of this study were to determine the number of potential DIs present in medication regimens of adults with IDD as well as factors…

Friendships contribute to positive social outcomes such as the promotion of prosocial behaviors and social well-being and can lead to an overall healthy quality of life. Despite the importance of friendships, little is known about how individuals without disabilities develop and maintain friendships with individuals with intellectual and…

Background: Often, people with and without intellectual disabilities do not mingle. Research has mostly focused on how to foster "convivial encounters" for social inclusion, but further thinking is needed on situations in which potential encounters do not take place. Method: Discussion of philosophical and urban sociological literature…

Interactive digital art can be a beneficial therapeutic intervention for a variety of populations, but specifically for the population of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Interactive digital art uses the engagement of the participant to create a digital form of art. The purpose of this literature review is to explore the effects that…

Background: Research suggests physicians may harbour paternalistic attitudes towards people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and lack the knowledge and skills to work with them. This study examined the impact of a brief intellectual and developmental disability curriculum intervention on these outcomes. Methods: First-year medical…

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have a history of being isolated, marginalized, and excluded from employment that is competitive and integrated. Policy makers, disability advocates, and self-advocates have made efforts to center inclusive education and employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual…

Most social work students receive only limited instruction about disabilities in their general coursework despite a growing need for trained social workers in this area. In this paper, we argue that coursework dedicated to the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) needs to be implemented as an essential component of a…

Background: Parents of children with intellectual or developmental disabilities have unique challenges in navigating the developmental period of adolescence. The present study explored the experiences of parents connected with disability services throughout the island of Ireland of parenting their child during adolescence. Method: Five focus…

Postsecondary education programs (PSEs) are becoming increasingly available for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the United States. Positive interactions between young adults and their families and professionals, and collaborative family-professional interactions can enhance transition outcomes for people with…

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the interaction project (i.e., Peer Lunch Club Project) influenced preservice general education students' attitudes towards disability and inclusion. Students enrolled in an introductory special education course were provided opportunities to socially interact with adults with disabilities. A total…

As inclusive opportunities increase for students with disabilities, additional research is needed to examine high school students' classroom interactions. This descriptive study explores the nature of the social interactions of 10 high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the general education classroom.…

This paper looks at the theory, research, applied aspects, and future possibilities of using strengths-based positive interventions in action, modified for people with no or low literacy with the use of the camera and video feedback. Action-based modifications of interventions, focusing on the emergence of character strengths and immediate visual…

Individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) depend on caregivers to meet physical, emotional, and social needs. This makes relationships with caregivers particularly important to quality of life. Without intervention, social interactions may be limited and ineffective, affecting relationships with caregivers and thus quality of life for…

Lack of meaningful interaction between persons with and without disabilities contributes to prejudice and perpetuates barriers to community inclusion. The current study explored a university-community agency partnership designed to break down barriers to community inclusion by promoting interaction between college students and adults with…