Background: Rates of death and avoidable deaths are reportedly higher among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This study contributes to our understanding of how mortality and intellectual and development disabilities are associated. Method: General population and intellectual and developmental disabilities adult cohorts were…

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Numerous pandemic-related stressors experienced by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities may have impacted their ability to thrive, which has been linked to mental health outcomes. The…

Background: Direct support professionals (DSP) are instrumental in supporting the health care of individuals with intellectual disabilities, yet receive little training and support for this role. We implemented a capacity building intervention for DSPs in a community agency in Ontario, Canada. This study evaluated the perceived value and…

Background: To address the growing concerns over poor mental health experienced by adults with intellectual disabilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a national virtual mental health course was delivered and evaluated. Methods: This mixed methods study utilized both qualitative and quantitative assessments. Participants were 27 adults with…

Background: Workers supporting adults with intellectual disabilities experience significant stress in their essential role during COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to describe the experience of these workers and determine predictors of emotional distress. Methods: Eight hundred and thirty-eight workers supporting adults with intellectual…

Background: This study examines newcomers with intellectual and developmental disabilities compared to other adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ontario, Canada. Methods: This population-based retrospective cohort study used linked health and social services administrative data to identify adults with intellectual and…

Background: Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have high rates of homelessness. This observational study evaluates Bridges to Housing, a cross-sector intervention offering immediate access to housing and supports to this population in Toronto, Canada. Methods: Twenty-six participants, enrolled between April 2016 and…

This population-based cohort study examined the relationship between level of continuity of primary care and subsequent emergency department (ED) visits for adults with (n = 66,484) and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)(n = 2,760,670). Individuals with IDD were more likely than individuals with no IDD to visit the ED…

Introduction: Health and social service providers have limited expertise with regard to assessing and treating psychiatric disorders in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The aim of this study was to describe the development and pilot evaluation of a virtual capacity-building program (Project ECHO) focused on supporting the…

Background: There is little research with people who experience intellectual/developmental disabilities and imprisonment. Methods: The study linked health and correctional data to examine prevalence of intellectual/developmental disabilities and health and correctional characteristics among adults experiencing their first federal incarceration…

Introduction: This study presents demographic and clinical profiles of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities seen at a psychiatric emergency department (ED). Predictors of admission were also identified. Methods: A retrospective chart review conducted from Oct 2016 to Jan 2017. Results: A total of 73 patients representing 105…

Background: Parenting an individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can be challenging, particularly during adulthood. It is important to better understand ways of supporting families as individuals with IDD age. Self-compassion is a potential internal coping resource for parents, and is strongly linked to positive mental…

Background: HIV among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is rarely studied. This scoping review examined the HIV prevalence, health service use, prevention and risk behaviours among individuals with IDD. Method: Journal articles, book chapters and theses written in English and published from 1991 to 2017 in four…

Introduction: Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are high users of emergency mental health services and can experience stigmatization in these circumstances. The purpose of the study was to examine the experiences of people with ID living in the community who interact with emergency services as a result of a psychiatric crisis, from the…

Background: Parents often play a lifelong role in supporting their sons and daughters with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). There is a need to better understand parent resources, particularly when the individual with IDD has behaviour problems, as the latter has consistently been linked to parental burden. Methods: The current…