In its exploration of key debates related to curriculum, pedagogy, and policy, "Severe, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties in School" provokes thinking about how we reach decisions related to vulnerable learners. The book discusses a number of 'dilemma stories' from teachers of learners with Severe, Profound, and Multiple…

Background: The last decade has seen developments in collaborative multi-sensory theatre and dramatic performance involving individuals with profound and multiple learning disabilities. The current study investigated co-development processes used by a multi-sensory theatre company that employed four artists with profound and multiple learning…

Background: Including people with severe/profound intellectual disabilities as research participants challenges researchers due to their diverse abilities to participate and express themselves. Ensuring the rigour of the research and the credibility of the findings presents a challenge. Methods: We use examples from our research to demonstrate…

Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a genetic condition associated with profound neurodevelopmental disabilities. This study described patterns of onset and loss of developmental milestones and associated skills using questionnaire data from the PMS International Registry (N = 374) and clinician-led assessment data from the Developmental…

This mixed methods survey study aims to investigate school staff's perspectives on using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with students with the most severe disabilities in Swedish school settings. The study employed a convergent mixed methods design, where both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analysed in…

Background: Individuals with profound and multiple learning disabilities are at the centre of debates about what it means to be a person. These debates sometimes start from the position that a person is somebody who possesses mature cognitive abilities, such as intentional communication skills and self-reflection (which individuals with profound…

Background: Caring for persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) demands specific expertise. Tacit knowledge seems to play an important role, but little is known about its nature, including what is necessary for its development and transfer. Aim: To gain understanding of the nature and development of tacit knowledge…

Background: Deinstitutionalisation refers to the transition of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from large institutions to smaller homes in the community. The purpose of this study was to explore how family members of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities perceived their loved ones' community…

Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and extensive support needs (ESN) face a high risk of experiencing traumatic events, which may lead to a myriad of negative mental and physical health and educational outcomes. Identifying symptoms and treating trauma, however, are challenging due to communication difficulties, vague or…

Background: The objective of this study is to explore experiences of Czech mothers caring for children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Methods: Semistructured interviews combined with biographical narration of mothers of children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities and a short questionnaire for demographic…

Background: Although particular technologies can enhance the quality of life (QoL) of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (we use the term pervasive support needs), their objectives and outcomes are understudied. A systematic literature review was therefore conducted to explore this topic. Method: A search of four databases…

Background: A measure to provide insight regarding health-related quality of life of adults with severe motor and intellectual disabilities was lacking. For this reason, the CPADULT was developed. This measure includes domains relating to an individual's physical, mental, and social functioning. The purpose of this study was to assess the…

Background: Advancements in medicine have increased the life expectancy of the people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. The hypothesis is that as parents get older, they worry about no longer being there for their child. This paper explores the extent to which the experiences of older parents may differ from that of younger…

Introduction: The preferences of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) often remain unfulfilled since it stays challenging to decode their idiosyncratic behavior resulting in a negative impact on their quality of life (QoL). Physiological data (i.e. heart rate (variability) and motion data) might be the missing piece…

In this special section of "Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities" ("RPSD"), the intersection of race, ethnicity, culture, and language influences schooling (i.e., what is taught, how, and where) for students of color with significant cognitive disabilities is explored. Contemporary issues facing people of…