Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about disruptions in healthcare for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There is a need to explore ways to promote proactive healthcare and better prepare individuals for healthcare encounters. Methods: A co-designed tool, the COVID Check-in Tool, was introduced as part of a…

This study is a needs assessment of Extension staff in the state of Iowa to implement inclusive programming for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Electronic surveys were completed by Extension staff on their attitudes and beliefs toward people with IDD, inclusive programming, and training needs. Results showed…

Background: Long-term care services are funded primarily by Medicaid long-term services and support in the United States, where eligibility is based on care needs of the individual with intellectual and developmental disability alone. Impact of Medicaid waiver services on self-reported caregiver needs is not well understood. Method: Caregivers (n…

Increasing numbers of students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) enroll in Inclusive Post Secondary Education (IPSE). While there is a breadth of research on inclusive post secondary education, research in this field has yet to center those whom it impacts most directly- the students themselves. Utilizing a Disability Studies…

Background: Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families have high need for support services. This study assessed resource utilization among caregivers of intellectual and developmental disabilities and other conditions. Methods: We assessed 366 caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities,…

Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (SWIDD) often require academic, employment, and social support to be successful in inclusive postsecondary education programs. One way to provide support in these areas is via peer mentorship. In addition to SWIDD obtaining the support they need; peer mentors also benefit from the…

Background: Canadian 24-h movement guidelines recommend that adults achieve 150 min per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), 7-9 h of sleep per night and spend no more than 8-h per day sedentary to optimise health and wellbeing. Method: Using a cross-sectional survey of 131 family caregivers of adults with intellectual and…

We used the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Standards for evidence-based practices (EBP) in Special Education to evaluate the effectiveness research on the use of visual scene displays (VSDs) and video VSDs with young children with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual and developmental disability (ASD/IDD). VSDs and video VSDs are…

The effects of a computer-based reading intervention on whole word reading in three post-secondary students with intellectual and/or developmental disability were evaluated using a multiple baseline across tasks (i.e., word sets) design. Words were selected from each student's elective undergraduate social science course materials. During this…

Co-occurring intellectual/developmental disability (IDD) and overweight/obesity (OW/OB) is an important consideration of IDD psychiatric care. The relationship between OW/OB and comorbid diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or IDD remains inadequately described in existing literature. The purpose of this study is to explore these…

Background: Family carers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are at increased risk of stress and often face barriers to accessing appropriate supports. Peer support can enhance the effects of well-being interventions, yet research is limited regarding family carers' experiences within peer support roles. Method:…

Background: Leadership is crucial for frontline managers leading direct support staff in intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) services because it impacts both the staff and service users. Method: A systematic review using CADIMA software, guided by the 2020 PRISMA statement, analysed 32 articles from Scopus, WOS, PsycINFO and EBSCO…

Background: Natural supports are widely used by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. However, little research has been conducted on this topic. This study adds to the literature by examining the role of parents as natural supporters, other members of the natural support network, challenges families face as they secure natural…

Background: Previous research has shown that post-secondary collegiate vocational educational programs often have positive effects on employment outcomes for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Aims: Using secondary data of a program in the United States collected over several years, we examined which intervention…

Teaching science education has remained limited for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), which, in turn, has resulted in an ongoing discrepancy between these students and their typically developing peers for decades. Although there is a growing body of research in effective teaching approaches aimed at overcoming this…