Background: Interactive engagement, specifically attention and initiation, are considered important skills for facilitating development and learning in students with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Prior research has suggested that music therapy and multisensory storytelling are two promising interventions for supporting…

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: People with learning disabilities experience bereavement in the same emotionally overwhelming way as the general population. The Dual-Process Model of grief is characterised by the oscillation between "Loss-Orientation" and "Restoration-Orientation." These processes involve experiencing and accepting the emotional…

Background: Special attention is required when considering any educational intervention aimed at its promotion and development. Our objective is to conduct an umbrella review of systematic reviews that gather evidence from relationships and sex education programmes tailored for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Methods: The protocol was…

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: There has been significant focus in the past decade on reducing admissions to assessment and treatment units for people with intellectual disabilities experiencing mental health or behavioural concerns. This has included the development of intensive support functions of National Health Service Learning Disability services to bolster…

Background: The principal destinations for school leavers with intellectual disabilities from special schools in Ireland are further education (FE) through providers such as the National Learning Network or training and employment (TE) within adult day services and rehabilitation centres. In 2015, a number of inherent barriers to participation in…

Background: Arts therapies take different forms, including music, dance and drama therapies. Access to meaningful activities is limited for people with an intellectual disability. Music, dance and drama therapies could be relevant strategies to improve well-being of people with an intellectual disability. To encourage the inclusion of these…

Background: The social networks of adults with intellectual disabilities are often small and may be limited to family, paid staff and others with disabilities. This study explored the social inclusion of six individuals who joined mainstream leisure clubs or became local volunteers. Method: This qualitative intervention study provided structured…

Background: Shared Lives (adult placement) is a model of community-based support where an adult who needs support and/or accommodation moves into or regularly visits the home of an approved Shared Lives carer. It is an established but small-scale service used mainly by adults with learning disabilities. However, little research has been conducted…

Background: Previous literature pinpointed the limitations of behavioural treatment in helping families of people with intellectual disabilities to transit lifecycle adjustment and suggested the contributions of systemic intervention made to this population. Methods: This study aimed to explore the applicability of structural family therapy to…

Background: Research suggests that, in spite of legislation, the process of transition from school is problematic for most young people with disabilities. Best practices in transition emphasise the importance of providing personalised transition supports. This study, which took place in Ireland, aimed to explore the application of social role…

Background: The Circle of Security Parenting programme is a manualised parenting intervention that aims to enhance secure attachment and improve relationships between children and their caregivers. It is gaining global popularity and acquiring emerging support. Researchers are increasingly interested in its effectiveness in enhancing parent-child…

Background: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) recommend all disabled people receive support to develop their autonomy. Subsequently, evolving models for supported decision-making and informed consent present guidance to enable autonomy support, which have relevance to people with intellectual…

Background: Social and communication impairments are a core diagnostic feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and can act as a barrier to developing relationships. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2016) guidelines recommend group social skills interventions as the first-line treatment to help adults with ASD improve their…