Background: The study focuses on the need to optimise assessment scales for support needs in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Current scales are often lengthy and redundant, leading to exhaustion and response burden. The goal is to use machine learning techniques, specifically item-reduction methods and selection…

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…

Background: Individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities are vulnerable to potentially traumatic events and trauma sequelae. Despite ongoing advances surrounding trauma and intellectual/developmental disabilities, trauma-specific treatments are needed for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. This study explores the…

Background: Direct care workers (DCWs) caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PWIDD) provide palliative care, but research indicates DCWs are ill-equipped to do so. This study aimed to assess DCWs' palliative care experience and training and their perceived training needs. Materials and Methods: Staff trained as DCWs…

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used in health care to evaluate service quality and client progress. Response scales are a critical component of PROM content validity and must be designed to be relevant and comprehensible by users. Methods: In collaboration with eight youth co-researchers with…

Background: We conducted feasibility testing of a novel peer mentoring intervention addressing self-awareness and proactive coping for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions. Aligned with regulatory flexibility theory, we hypothesised that if young adults with intellectual and…

Background: The COVID-19 global pandemic has put adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities at greater risk of being socially excluded due to physical distancing. Technology has been looked at as a tool for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities to stay connected, however, little is known about this topic. The purpose of this…

Background: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities face challenges in developing and maintaining intimate relationships, frequently requiring support from staff. Method: Focus groups were conducted with 26 social care staff members to explore the support they provided to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to…

Background: Foot problems have been reported to be a very common health issue in adults with intellectual disabilities; foot problems in children and young people are, however, poorly understood. The aim of this study was to explore foot care needs of children and young people with intellectual and developmental disability. Methods: An…

Background: For almost two decades, students with intellectual, developmental and multiple disabilities have attended undergraduate classes at the University of Manitoba, in Winnipeg, Canada as part-time auditing students. They are supported by the Campus Life program. Campus Life employs graduate and undergraduate university students as academic…

Background: Sleep hygiene education (SHE) is a familiar intervention for addressing behavioural sleep problems in children with developmental disabilities that involves advising parents on sleep-promoting behaviours; however, it is supported by a limited evidence base. Materials and methods: This exploratory study aimed to enhance qualitative…

Background: This article presents a case study of the Centre for Disability Studies' Inclusive Research Network. The network is a dynamic group of around fifteen people who have intellectual and other disabilities, support workers and university researchers. Methods: The study was based upon an evaluation of the group's research practice, as…

Background: This study investigated perceived quality of life (QoL) of community-dwelling middle-aged adults (30-50 years) with an intellectual disability and/or developmental disability living in rural or urban areas in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. The specific aim of the current paper was to provide a descriptive evidence base of…

Background: People who have an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) and asthma are at greater risk of poor health outcomes. They often require assistance from caregivers when managing their medicines. The objective of this pilot study was to assess the level of understanding of asthma self-management concepts of family caregivers who…