The Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce has experienced a multidecade period of disinvestment in the field leading to DSPs being in high demand, while efforts to recruit, train, and retain these professionals pose challenges. To gain a better understanding of the needs of DSPs themselves, 440 survey responses and 24 interviews of DSPs were…

Adults with intellectual disability (ID) have significantly lower levels of fitness compared to the general population. The study examined the effects of a multicomponent familiarization intervention, consisting of a visual activity schedule and a video-enhanced system of least-to-most prompting, both displayed via an iPad, on the acquisition of…

Although epilepsy commonly presents with autism in children, it is currently unknown whether established estimates represent the prevalence and incidence of epilepsy in autistic adults. Our objective was to use population-level Medicaid data to determine prevalence, incidence, and antiepileptic drug use associated with epilepsy in a unique…

This study identifies factors (state of residence, personal characteristics, and living situation) associated with access to self-directed funding (SDF) for adults with intellectual disability in the United States. Data from 10,033 participants from 26 states in the 2012-2013 National Core Indicators Adult Consumer Survey were analyzed. We…

Interactions between staff and individuals with intellectual disability have been shown to influence the development or maintenance of challenging behaviours among the latter. Given the implications of these observations, the present study sought to describe special education teachers' responses to challenging behaviours displayed by their pupils.…

Background: This research aims to study the role of people with intellectual disability in taking decisions regarding the support provided under the supported living model. Method: Interviews were conducted with 13 people with intellectual disability, and six support professionals with experience working in organisations offering personalised…

Background: This study focuses on young people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism who, due to child welfare concerns, have grown up in children's residential care and are now transitioning out of care at the age of 18 years towards young adulthood. This transition is termed "care leaving" and the young people in transition…

This service evaluation comprised pre- and post measures with service users and their carers on admission to and discharge from an assessment and treatment (A&T) unit. The Behaviour Problems Inventory (BPI), Psychiatric Assessment Scale for Adults with Developmental Disabilities Checklist--Revised (PASSAD) and World Health Organisations…

Previous studies suggest that family members of people with intellectual disabilities prefer them to move to supervised living arrangements such as group homes. In Ireland, personalised arrangements are emerging, but families have had little exposure to this option. In this qualitative study, we explored the perspectives of family members…

Research indicates that adults with intellectual disabilities are living longer. However, there is limited research on how this affects health and care needs. Objective: The present study aimed to examine the health and social care needs of older adults with intellectual disabilities in Ireland using multiple informants. Methods: Data were…

Background: The study explored the use of a robot-mediated therapeutic intervention in persons with visual and intellectual disabilities. Method: Three robot-mediated intervention sessions were developed to teach three coping skills for worrying. Effectiveness was examined using a multiple-baseline case study design (N = 7). Baseline,…

Background: This article aims to present the results of a study on the facilitators and obstacles to community participation in inclusive settings for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in Québec City (Canada), as perceived by adults with ID and key individuals involved in their daily lives. Method: Semi-structured interviews were…

Transitioning to post-secondary education is often challenging for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). To address this, Florida International University, specifically FIU Embrace, piloted the Embrace Mentoring Program (EMP), which provided unique role-specific workshops to both faculty/staff mentors, and student…

The number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive and terminal kind of dementia, continues to rise with an estimated 14 million Americans affected by 2050. Prior to an AD diagnosis, many individuals are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and have similar, but less severe, symptoms as those with AD. A common…

This study used a mixed methods approach to investigate the perceptions of students with intellectual disabilities (ID) attending a Transition Postsecondary Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID). This study explored what they perceived to be the most chosen and helpful accommodations, assistive technologies, and supports and…