Background: Long-term care planning (LTCP) is critical for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Objectives of this study were to investigate progression through LTCP, and associations between social support and: (1) LTCP and (2) burden among family caregivers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to caregivers of…

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…

During the past decade, numerous postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disability have emerged as have standards to improve the quality of those programs. We used the Think College Standards for Inclusive Higher Education to develop a family survey to evaluate and improve programs. Overall, family responses were positive for most…

Despite the pressure special educators are under to ensure that their students with significant cognitive disabilities learn the important skills necessary to live a productive life, the recent educational path in Ohio has been geared towards a standards-based curriculum to prepare them for the state assessment. The purpose of this qualitative…

This essay analyzes the rhetorical framing tactics of a group of disability activists to understand how they use key words, topic shifts, and other framing maneuvers to amplify marginalized voices in public debates. Focusing on a town hall meeting and a legislator update meeting between activists and lawmakers, the author uses "stasis"…

Individuals with disabilities do not access postsecondary education at the same rate as their peers without disabilities. This gap is unfortunate, as research shows that when students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) participate in postsecondary education, they have improved physical, social, and employment outcomes. To…

Background: Few family caregivers of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities develop long-term care (LTC) plans for their relative. Web-based interventions promoting LTC planning have potential for widespread adoption into clinical practice. Methods: We conducted focus groups with 49 primary caregivers of individuals with…

This systematic review examined 14 U.S. studies published since 2000 reporting prevalence estimates for intellectual disability (ID) or developmental disability (DD). Prevalence rates for children were between 11.0 and 13.4 per 1,000 for ID and between 45.8 and 69.9 per 1,000 for DD using data from 2010 or later. A 2015 Ohio study of adults…

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) continue to experience high rates of unemployment. Previous research suggests that including an employment goal in an individual's service plan can be a mechanism toward attaining employment, especially in a community setting. This study contributes to the understanding of the role of…

This study examined rates of and contributing factors to self-determination among young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Caregivers of young adults with autism spectrum disorder, 16-25 years, from five Autism Treatment Network sites completed surveys about their young adults' transition experiences including the American Institutes for…

As postsecondary programs grow for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (SwIDD), there is an increased focus on program evaluation and effectiveness, specifically related to impact on employment outcomes. Ohio's Statewide Consortium (OSC) of postsecondary programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental…

Inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs can provide young adults with IDD opportunities for training and experiences in continuing academic instruction, transition goals, independent living as well as employment. Parent readiness is an important aspect of having young adults embrace their increasing independence. While the prospective…

Despite existing legislation and provision of post-secondary transition plans to bridge the gap between secondary school and the workplace for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), workplace sites in rural central Ohio have continued to have a hiring rate of individuals with ID that is lower than the national average. The focal point of…

This practical guide includes strategies that work to support students with intellectual disability (ID) who are looking for employment opportunities. The strategies shared in this How to Think College publication were shared with the authors by staff and faculty at six different postsecondary programs for students with ID, and align with the…

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, sexuality education (SE) is considered a human right and aims to increase understanding, decrease abuse, unplanned pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections. Yet, individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities are less likely to receive or SE is primarily focused on…