Caitlin Chaney, Ann Nguyen Do, Amanda Elitawi, Brooke Carrier, Emma Charters
{"title":"Access to Communication Assessment and Intervention for Adults With Intellectual Disabilities.","authors":"Caitlin Chaney, Ann Nguyen Do, Amanda Elitawi, Brooke Carrier, Emma Charters","doi":"10.1111/jar.70242","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jar.70242","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Effective communication is essential for health, quality of life and social participation. Adults with communication disabilities-particularly those with intellectual disabilities-often face systemic barriers to accessing appropriate support.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A retrospective audit of 497 consultations from 276 adults with intellectual disabilities living in Australian group homes (2017-2022) was conducted at a private speech pathology clinic. The audit examined the proportion of patients recommended for and receiving a full communication assessment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A mixed method analysis was conducted and identified that of the 234 patients recommended for assessment, only 93 (39.7%) received one. Thematic analysis found that facilitators included dedicated funding, carer advocacy and multiple clinical contacts. Barriers were primarily related to funding limitations, competing clinical priorities and poor service access.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is a clear gap between recommended and delivered communication assessment. Systemic reform is needed to prioritise communication through improved funding pathways, carer training and access to speech pathology services.</p>","PeriodicalId":73610,"journal":{"name":"Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID","volume":"39 3","pages":"e70242"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13147138/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147847127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Psychological Practitioners' Perceived Barriers and Solutions for Facilitating Access to Mental Health Services for Adults With Intellectual Disabilities.","authors":"Joanna Doherty, Maisie Knight-Davies, Freya Gomes","doi":"10.1111/jar.70237","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jar.70237","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>People with intellectual disabilities have the right to access mainstream healthcare services. However, research highlights barriers to accessing services and recommends reasonable adjustments to improve this.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Focus groups were held with 21 staff from adult mental health services, including the intellectual disability service in Somerset, UK, to identify barriers and solutions to improve access. Reflexive thematic analysis was used, and change ideas were generated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four themes were identified: service barriers to making reasonable adjustments, the need for adequate training, the need for joint working, and reasonable adjustments in practice. Staff reported awareness of adjustments but variable knowledge and confidence in implementing them. Participants highlighted service constraints and wanted increased flexibility, joint working, and clearer record keeping.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>From the identified barriers, change ideas were developed and solutions proposed to improve service access. Future service improvements and research need to meaningfully involve people with intellectual disabilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":73610,"journal":{"name":"Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID","volume":"39 3","pages":"e70237"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147847143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andraea Van Hulst, Rosa Elena Ponce-Alcala, Anaële Cuerrier, Sandra Pelaez, Tristan Delmas, Lia Sanzone
{"title":"Experiences and Preparedness of Nursing Students and Recent Nurse Graduates Delivering Cardiovascular Health Promotion for People Living With Intellectual Disabilities.","authors":"Andraea Van Hulst, Rosa Elena Ponce-Alcala, Anaële Cuerrier, Sandra Pelaez, Tristan Delmas, Lia Sanzone","doi":"10.1111/jar.70235","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jar.70235","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nurses often lack training and self-confidence to provide care for people living with intellectual disabilities. We explored experiences and levels of preparedness among junior nurses trained to deliver cardiovascular health promotion to Special Olympics athletes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative descriptive approach was used among junior nurses (n = 20) who participated in the delivery of a cardiovascular health promotion intervention, with semi-structured individual interviews or focus-group discussions and qualitative content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nurses showed evidence of advanced beginner and competent levels of expertise in their approaches to Special Olympics athletes in relation to 5 themes linked to strengths-based nursing and health (SBNH) values: Endorsing person-centeredness; Fostering self-determination and empowerment; Building collaborative partnerships; Recognising interconnections between athletes and their surroundings; and Seizing learning opportunities.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Junior nurses who participated in this cardiovascular health promotion initiative perceived the experience as educationally enriching, advocating for practical, real-life opportunities to better prepare them to deliver health promotion care for special-needs populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":73610,"journal":{"name":"Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID","volume":"39 3","pages":"e70235"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13125967/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147791312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ilse Migchelsen, Yvette M Dijkxhoorn, Leo M J de Sonneville, Hanna Swaab
{"title":"Mental Health Classification and Care for Individuals With Intellectual Disability and Severe Challenging Behaviour: A Three-Year Follow-Up on Quality of Life.","authors":"Ilse Migchelsen, Yvette M Dijkxhoorn, Leo M J de Sonneville, Hanna Swaab","doi":"10.1111/jar.70243","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jar.70243","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Individuals with intellectual disability and severe challenging behaviour (CB) often need intensive support. The present study examines whether mental health classification (MHC) makes interventions aimed at improving quality of life (QoL) more effective.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A three-year follow up of 122 men and 62 women with intellectual disability and severe CB, aged 18-70 years, compared number and type of support goals and development of QoL (San Martin Scale) and CB (Developmental Behaviour Checklist for Adults) of individuals with (N = 124) and without (N = 60) MHC.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>MHC was associated with setting more support goals. This had no differential effect on the development of QoL or CB. Improvement in QoL was associated with lower initial QoL, higher cognitive functioning and a lower number of support goals set.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>MHC was not related to better outcomes. Overall, setting fewer support goals and higher cognitive functioning are positively related to the effectiveness of treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":73610,"journal":{"name":"Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID","volume":"39 3","pages":"e70243"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13164824/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147876280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Martin McMahon, Aviejay Paul, Catriona Ryan, Louise Lynch, Philip McCallion, Mary McCarron, Eilish Burke
{"title":"Healthcare Utilisation in Ageing Adults With Intellectual Disability: Longitudinal Evidence From Five Waves of IDS-TILDA.","authors":"Martin McMahon, Aviejay Paul, Catriona Ryan, Louise Lynch, Philip McCallion, Mary McCarron, Eilish Burke","doi":"10.1111/jar.70236","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jar.70236","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adults with intellectual disability are living longer and ageing with more illness. This impacts healthcare utilisation. Yet little is known about how healthcare utilisation changes over time as this population ages.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Five waves of longitudinal data of people ≥ 40 years with intellectual disability from 2009 to 2023 were analysed. Generalised linear multilevel models examined associations between sociodemographic characteristics and multimorbidity with patterns of General Practitioner (GP), outpatient and emergency department use.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>GP use was consistently high across all waves. Outpatient use increased as people aged, while emergency department use was associated with age greater than 65, multimorbidity and conditions such as neurological, joint, gastrointestinal, endocrine and heart disease. Residence was a significant factor influencing healthcare utilisation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings demonstrate that multimorbidity, residence and age were associated with healthcare utilisation. These are important insights to help support the planning of accessible and preventative health services for this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":73610,"journal":{"name":"Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID","volume":"39 3","pages":"e70236"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13125395/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147791341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mat Pilates Training Programme Improves Postural Balance in Older Male Adults With Mild Intellectual Disability.","authors":"Imen Zarrouk, Rihab Borji, Sonia Sahli, Haithem Rebai","doi":"10.1111/jar.70269","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jar.70269","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Older adults with intellectual disability often experience impaired postural balance due to the combined effects of intellectual disability-related deficits and age-related motor, sensory and cognitive limitations. Evidence on Pilates in this population remains limited. This randomised controlled trial investigated the effects of a Pilates programme on postural balance, muscle strength and reaction time in older male adults with mild intellectual disability.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty male older adults with mild intellectual disability were randomly assigned to Pilates training group (PTG; mean age: 50.00 ± 2.71 years) or control group (CG; mean age: 49.40 ± 2.12 years). Static postural balance (centre of pressure mean velocity, CoPVm), quadriceps maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and simple reaction time (SRT) were assessed pre- and post-8-week mat Pilates training programme consisting of 60-min sessions performed twice per week.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>PTG showed a significant reduction in CoPVm values (p < 0.001) and SRT (p < 0.01) with a significant increase in MVC (p < 0.001). No significant changes were observed in CG.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings highlight Pilates as an effective intervention to improve postural balance, muscle strength and reaction time in older male adults with mild intellectual disability.</p>","PeriodicalId":73610,"journal":{"name":"Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID","volume":"39 3","pages":"e70269"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148280316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Evangelia Petropoulou, Dawn A Skelton, Janet Finlayson
{"title":"Predicting Injuries in Adults With Intellectual Disabilities in Supported Living: Development and Validation of Risk Assessment Tools.","authors":"Evangelia Petropoulou, Dawn A Skelton, Janet Finlayson","doi":"10.1111/jar.70253","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jar.70253","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adults with intellectual disabilities experience disproportionately high injury rates, yet risk prediction in community-supported living remains underdeveloped. This study aimed to identify risk and protective factors and develop validated, population-specific screening tools.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A longitudinal cohort study of 536 adults with intellectual disabilities in supported accommodation in Scotland examined 68 intrinsic and extrinsic variables across retrospective (30-month) and prospective (12-month) periods. Multivariate logistic regression identified key predictors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Independent risk factors for injury and fall-related injury included poor balance or coordination, polypharmacy, use of antiepileptic and antipsychotic medications, and restlessness. Protective factors included family co-residence and a diagnosed heart condition. Two tools, the Risk Injury Assessment Tool and Risk Fall-Injury Assessment Tool, demonstrated moderate-to-good predictive validity, particularly in excluding low-risk individuals.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides the first validated tools to assess injury and fall-related injury risk in adults with intellectual disabilities in community settings, supporting more equitable, preventive care.</p>","PeriodicalId":73610,"journal":{"name":"Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID","volume":"39 3","pages":"e70253"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148019261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Digital Inequality and Internet Self-Efficacy in Adults With Intellectual Disability: Motivational, Demographic and Contextual Predictors of Online Participation.","authors":"Sarah Glencross, Jonathan Mason","doi":"10.1111/jar.70261","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jar.70261","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adults with intellectual disability face multiple barriers to digital participation, yet limited research has examined how motivational and demographic factors interact to influence internet self-efficacy.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Structured interviews were conducted with 96 adults with mild or moderate intellectual disability and 49 adults without intellectual disability across urban and regional locations in Australia. Internet self-efficacy, attitudes and behavioural beliefs were assessed using adapted measures informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants with intellectual disability had significantly lower internet self-efficacy than their peers, particularly those who were older, lived in regional areas or lacked professional support. Motivational variables predicted a small proportion of self-efficacy variance for participants with intellectual disability and a larger proportion for the comparison group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Findings suggest digital inequality among people with intellectual disability is shaped by contextual and motivational factors. Support programmes informed by behavioural theory may help increase digital confidence and online engagement.</p>","PeriodicalId":73610,"journal":{"name":"Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID","volume":"39 3","pages":"e70261"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13241320/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148177192","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Olivia M Hewitt, Paul A Thompson, Craig Steel, Peter E Langdon
{"title":"Initial Testing of a Novel, Mental Imagery-Based Anxiety Intervention for People With Mild to Moderate Intellectual Disabilities Using a Single Case Experimental Design.","authors":"Olivia M Hewitt, Paul A Thompson, Craig Steel, Peter E Langdon","doi":"10.1111/jar.70264","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jar.70264","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>People with intellectual disabilities experience higher anxiety rates and barriers accessing effective interventions. This study conducted initial testing and refinement of Co-MAID, a novel mental imagery-based anxiety intervention co-designed with people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Six participants received 9-12 individual sessions using a non-concurrent multiple baseline design. Sessions focused on positive imagery generation, attention shifting and image property modification. Acceptability was assessed through interviews and adherence measures.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five participants completed the intervention with 92.6% session attendance. Template analysis revealed positive experiences with improved mood and reduced anxiety. Three participants (50%) demonstrated reliable change on the primary anxiety measure, meeting clinically significant change criteria.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Co-MAID demonstrated good acceptability with some preliminary evidence of anxiety reduction in people with mild to moderate intellectual disability. Further research with larger samples and controlled designs will establish the feasibility of a randomised control trial leading to a Phase III trial.</p>","PeriodicalId":73610,"journal":{"name":"Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID","volume":"39 3","pages":"e70264"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13274475/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148267186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Adaptive and Maladaptive Behaviours and Their Cognitive Correlates in Aging Adults With Down Syndrome.","authors":"Yingying Yang, Sonia Conde, Romal Bhullar","doi":"10.1111/jar.70234","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jar.70234","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Longer life expectancy in Down syndrome (DS) has shifted concern to age-related declines in everyday functioning. Adaptive and maladaptive behaviours are pivotal to quality of life, yet little is known about their patterns in older adults with DS.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Data from 259 cognitively stable adults (25-72 year) in the Alzheimer's Biomarkers Consortium-DS were analysed. Adaptive behaviour (Vineland-3) and maladaptive behaviour (Reiss Screen) were analysed and then regressed on age, intellectual disability level, and cognitive tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Higher age and greater disability predicted poorer adaptive functioning, but effects waned after cognition was included. General cognition, cued-recall memory, and inhibitory control independently predicted adaptive skills. Maladaptive behaviours were rare, lacked cognitive or demographic predictors, and correlated negatively with adaptive scores.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>By identifying strengths, vulnerabilities, and predictors of behavioural functioning, this study offers insight into future clinical and caregiving strategies for aging adults with DS.</p>","PeriodicalId":73610,"journal":{"name":"Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID","volume":"39 3","pages":"e70234"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13133656/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147824409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}