Emily K Unholz-Bowden, Yue Wu, Alec Nyce, Brian H Abery, Lynda Lahti Anderson
{"title":"Technology Access, Utility, and Unmet Needs: Results From the Arc's FINDS Survey.","authors":"Emily K Unholz-Bowden, Yue Wu, Alec Nyce, Brian H Abery, Lynda Lahti Anderson","doi":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.5.370","DOIUrl":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.5.370","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Technology can enhance the quality of life of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). However, little is known about the extent to which it is accessible to and useful for people with IDD and their caregivers from different backgrounds. A secondary analysis was conducted using 3,113 caregiver responses from the Arc's Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports Survey to explore associations between technology access, utility, unmet needs, and various demographic characteristics of individuals with IDD and their families. Overall, reports of family members with IDD being older, employed, having more education, less health-related needs, and greater access to state-based services were associated with technology being reported as accessible and useful. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":47489,"journal":{"name":"Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities","volume":"63 5","pages":"370-383"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12483175/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145187097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"SAATHI: A Pilot Transition Intervention for South Asian Parents of Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.","authors":"Sehrish Shikarpurya, Carly B Gilson","doi":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.4.271","DOIUrl":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.4.271","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Racially minoritized parents often experience significant systemic barriers when accessing and navigating transition planning for their young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Despite the benefits of transition-focused parent interventions, only a few studies have developed or adapted these interventions for racially minoritized parents. We developed a 6-week, transition-focused online parent education intervention for 31 South Asian parents, South Asians Accessing and Advocating for Transition and Higher Education Inclusion (SAATHI). We found that SAATHI increased parents' transition knowledge, advocacy skills, and coping skills. Parents reported an increased sense of community and belonging after participating in SAATHI. Participants considered SAATHI feasible and beneficial. Implications of SAATHI for research, practice, and policy are also discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":47489,"journal":{"name":"Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities","volume":"63 4","pages":"271-285"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144838247","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sarah Lineberry, Michael D Broda, Parthenia Dinora, Matthew Bogenschutz, Seb Prohn, Angela West
{"title":"Evaluating Measurement Invariance Over Time for a Personal Opportunities Scale for People With IDD: Implications for Policy and Practice.","authors":"Sarah Lineberry, Michael D Broda, Parthenia Dinora, Matthew Bogenschutz, Seb Prohn, Angela West","doi":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.4.315","DOIUrl":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.4.315","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Personal opportunities refer to chances for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to take self-directed action based on their interests, strengths, and preferences. This study tested for measurement invariance across five years of cross-sectional data, including data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, to determine whether the scale performed consistently over time. Analysis revealed significant differences in both the National Core Indicators In-Person Survey (NCI-IPS) outcomes and in the Personal Opportunities scale. Measurement invariance testing indicated partial threshold and loading invariance, but not intercept invariance, suggesting that the ways in which participants perceived or responded to scale items changed over time. We recommend that researchers utilizing scaled measures with longitudinal outcomes employ statistical checks, including measurement invariance, to ensure the scale performs consistently over time.</p>","PeriodicalId":47489,"journal":{"name":"Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities","volume":"63 4","pages":"315-328"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144838243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christine Bottrell Mirzaian, Alexis Deavenport-Saman, Sharon Hudson, Cecily L Betz
{"title":"Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Health Care Transition: Stakeholder Perspectives.","authors":"Christine Bottrell Mirzaian, Alexis Deavenport-Saman, Sharon Hudson, Cecily L Betz","doi":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.4.299","DOIUrl":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.4.299","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Youth and young adults (YYA) with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and YYA with IDD and co-occurring mental health (MH) conditions experience unique challenges during the period of health care transition compared to those with other long-term conditions. This investigation explored respondents' (N = 277) perceptions of the needs associated with the transition experience of these two groups. Community-based organization respondents were significantly more likely to indicate stigma/bias were barriers for YYA with IDD compared to advocates or providers. Advocates were more likely to indicate access to postsecondary training or education was needed for YYA with IDD and co-occurring MH conditions. Greater services or supports were needed for YYA with co-occurring MH conditions than those with IDD: employment-related, housing, transportation/mobility, financial/food security.</p>","PeriodicalId":47489,"journal":{"name":"Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities","volume":"63 4","pages":"299-314"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144838246","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rachel Freeman, Jennifer Jeffrey-Pearsall, Dani Dunphy, Jessica Simacek, Stacy Danov, Ashley MacSuga-Gage, Margaret Moore
{"title":"Implementation Drivers for Organization-Wide Positive Behavior Support: Supporting People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.","authors":"Rachel Freeman, Jennifer Jeffrey-Pearsall, Dani Dunphy, Jessica Simacek, Stacy Danov, Ashley MacSuga-Gage, Margaret Moore","doi":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.4.344","DOIUrl":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.4.344","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Organization-wide positive behavior support (OW-PBS) is a framework for improving quality of life and preventing challenging behaviors for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This tiered PBS framework has been adapted from schools for use in disability services. Supporting people with IDD involves a variety of services (family and home, independent living skills, supported employment, and day programs) and requires a values-based approach. Although the process of translating PBS from education to disability service organizations requires adaptations to the technical assistance tools and resources, the foundational implementation science drivers-and challenges-are analogous. In this article, the mechanisms for adapting the PBS framework into disability service organizations is discussed, with considerations for ensuring person-centered, culturally inclusive and responsive practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":47489,"journal":{"name":"Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities","volume":"63 4","pages":"344-357"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144838245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kanako Iwanaga, Paul Wehman, Carol Schall, Lauren Avellone, Fong Chan, Katherine Inge, Jennifer McDonough
{"title":"Factors Affecting Employment for Early Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Influence of Supported Employment.","authors":"Kanako Iwanaga, Paul Wehman, Carol Schall, Lauren Avellone, Fong Chan, Katherine Inge, Jennifer McDonough","doi":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.4.286","DOIUrl":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.4.286","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Public policy directives have emphasized Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) as the primary employment outcome for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), yet their overall employment rates remain low. Supported Employment (SE) offers evidence-based vocational rehabilitation with personalized workplace support for CIE success. This study aims to predict CIE outcomes for youth and young adults with IDD by evaluating demographics, SE, and adjunctive state vocational rehabilitation agency (SVRA) services. Analyzing data from 67,884 individuals using hierarchical logistic regression, we found SE significantly associated with CIE success. Adjunctive SVRA services, including workplace support, job placement, and job search assistance, also played crucial roles. These findings emphasize SE's efficacy in helping youth and young adults with IDD achieve CIE, guiding vocational professionals.</p>","PeriodicalId":47489,"journal":{"name":"Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities","volume":"63 4","pages":"286-298"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144838244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michele A Schutz, Jessica M Awsumb, Erik W Carter, Leah Burgess, Ben Schwartzman
{"title":"Connecting Youth With Significant Disabilities to Paid Work: An Innovative School-Based Intervention.","authors":"Michele A Schutz, Jessica M Awsumb, Erik W Carter, Leah Burgess, Ben Schwartzman","doi":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.4.329","DOIUrl":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.4.329","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Early work experiences are associated with subsequent employment for students with significant disabilities, but they rarely receive such opportunities. This article presents two case studies illustrating a school-based intervention that connected students with significant disabilities to paid work during high school and included training for special educators, a team approach to employment planning, job connections, and postsecondary planning. We collected and analyzed data on employment outcomes over 18 months from the perspectives of students, their parents, and teachers during and after the intervention. One student was successfully connected to a paid job; the other student was not. We describe the proposed intervention, in-depth student experiences, and lessons learned for informing a randomized control trial evaluating the intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":47489,"journal":{"name":"Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities","volume":"63 4","pages":"329-343"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144838223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lynda Lahti Anderson, Sandra L Pettingell, Julie Bershadsky, Amy Hewitt
{"title":"The Impact of COVID-19 on Direct Support Professionals and Frontline Supervisors Mental and Physical Health.","authors":"Lynda Lahti Anderson, Sandra L Pettingell, Julie Bershadsky, Amy Hewitt","doi":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.3.244","DOIUrl":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.3.244","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Direct support professionals (DSPs) and frontline supervisors (FLSs) play a crucial role in the delivery of home and community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). A four-wave study was launched to understand the experiences of DSPs and FLSs during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the last wave, 2,584 participants responded to questions about mental and physical health issues they experienced. FLSs and DSPs differed in their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Differences included the effect on their daily work, how they viewed the quality of their work life, and whether their employer provided support for staff experiencing adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Policy recommendations to address the mental and physical health of DSPs and FLSs are provided.</p>","PeriodicalId":47489,"journal":{"name":"Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities","volume":"63 3","pages":"244-255"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12329790/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144162839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Informal Support Needs of Family Caregivers of Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in India.","authors":"Sumithra Murthy, Sarah Parker Harris, Kelly Hsieh","doi":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.3.200","DOIUrl":"10.1352/1934-9556-63.3.200","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Informal supports reduce stress and improve well-being for family caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental (IDD) disabilities. A strengths-based mixed methods needs assessment was conducted with a convenience sample of 100 family caregivers in India to explore their informal needs and strategies for obtaining informal supports. Results showed that fewer caregivers received informal supports, and unemployed caregivers reported higher support needs for social interaction. Caregivers of adults who also had cerebral palsy were less likely to need opportunities to meet and talk with other caregivers. Caregivers believed that having more caregiver associations would result in better care provision for themselves and their family members with IDD. Seeking supports outside government/other formal systems seems like a promising family support strategy for caregivers in India.</p>","PeriodicalId":47489,"journal":{"name":"Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities","volume":"63 3","pages":"200-215"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144162861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shannon C LaPoint, Bridgett W Kiernan, Julia M Heinly, Karen Luken, Sara Stahl, Brenna B Maddox
{"title":"Family Support ECHO: Enabling Community Providers to Support Families of People With Disabilities.","authors":"Shannon C LaPoint, Bridgett W Kiernan, Julia M Heinly, Karen Luken, Sara Stahl, Brenna B Maddox","doi":"10.1352/1934-9556.63.3.185","DOIUrl":"10.1352/1934-9556.63.3.185","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Little funding is allocated to helping families provide lifelong support for their family members with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). The North Carolina (NC) Family Support ECHO™ program was created to help family support specialists (n = 50) meet the needs of this population. This evaluation used a mixed-methods approach and revealed that, on average, participants agreed that they were satisfied with the NC Family Support ECHO program and improved their self-efficacy from pre- to post-assessment. This evaluation demonstrates the positive impact that NC Family Support ECHO has had on providers who support this population. Future research should aim to understand how the NC Family Support ECHO program improves outcomes for people with IDD and their families.</p>","PeriodicalId":47489,"journal":{"name":"Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities","volume":"63 3","pages":"185-199"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144162856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}