Background: Since the life expectancy of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) is increasing, siblings may take over care/support roles from their parents. Method: To explore how parents and siblings of persons with PIMD view siblings' role regarding future care/support for their family member, we interviewed eight…

Background: Adults with intellectual disabilities living in residential houses have a high prevalence of obesity which is related to poor dietary habits. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess supporting staff`s thoughts and experiences on factors influencing their opportunities to promote a healthy diet in adults with intellectual disabilities.…

Professional development is a key skill for all teachers and needs to be promoted. However, there are quite different practices within countries because of different qualification requirements [Moss, P., G. Dahlberg, S. Grieshaber, S. Mantovani, H. May, A. Pence, S. Rayna, P. Oberhuemer, I. Schreyer, and M. Neuman. 2010. "Professionals in…

Background: We investigated the effects of the "Care for Participation+" (CFP+) intervention on direct support professionals' (DSPs') attitudes regarding the participation of adults with visual and severe or profound intellectual disabilities (VSPID). Methods: We implemented a pilot non-randomized controlled trial with two control groups…

Background: Mealtime support has a direct bearing on the diet-related health of men and women with intellectual disabilities as well as opportunities for expressing dietary preferences. Method: Semi-structured interviews with a sample of direct support staff providing mealtime support to adults with intellectual disabilities. Results: When…

Background: Numbers of people with an intellectual disability and dementia present a global health and social challenge with associated need to reduce stress or agitation and improve quality of life in affected individuals. This study aimed to identify effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in social care settings and, uniquely, explore use…

Children's early interactions with adults during the first three years of life are instrumental in the development of their language, cognitive, and social skills, which in turn are strongly related to later achievement and success into adolescence. Early childhood professionals working with infants and toddlers need to understand children's…

People are living longer and requiring more health care assistance at home from a family caregiver, many of whom are employed or attending college. However, there is a gap in the literature exploring caregivers in higher education. Little research has been done to identify this hidden population. Thus, this phenomenological study focused on the…

The rate of diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is on the rise. Families of individuals with ASD usually face challenges in raising their children. The coping strategies that allow for caregivers to prevail and be resilient in this situation need to be better understood. Thus, this review aimed to compile evidences related to resiliency…

The importance of self-determination and best practices in secondary transition serve as the basis for assertions that guardianship and the aims of special education are inherently conflicted. Few studies have explored the perspectives and experiences of special education administrators on the support of students with disabilities and their…

Background: Knowledge regarding barriers faced by Latina/o/x caregivers in accessing youth mental health services (MHS) have largely depended on resource intensive interview-based assessments. Objective: We evaluated a questionnaire for Latina/o/x caregivers of youths that presents a briefer and more feasible alternative. Method: We conducted a…

Caregiving impacts the postsecondary education and career plans of young adults caring for their aging family members. Little is known about college-aged caregivers' experiences and perceptions of family caregiving, emotional well-being, and relationship quality with family members. An exploratory qualitative study with semi-structured interviews…

Background: People with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and women who drink alcohol while pregnant can experience stigma, possibly exacerbated by stereotyped media portrayals. Method: To understand experiences of FASD stakeholders and reactions to news coverage, we conducted twelve focus groups across three categories: (1) people with FASD;…

Research and practice emphasize the importance of family involvement in early intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, in order to address the unique and diverse challenges of families, support and resources may need to be prescribed on a case-by-case basis. This article suggests ways early intervention programs can…

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently report high levels of stress related to the process of receiving an ASD diagnosis and navigating the intervention landscape. Parent education programs offer one approach to providing families with support, information, and resources following a child's diagnosis. Given the…