Design Thinking: Assessing the health needs of college students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

Background: There is a dearth of literature related to well-being of college students with IDD. The purpose of this study was to use design thinking to identify health-related innovations for college students with IDD.

Method: Two design thinking events were conducted with participants (n = 16). Subsequent web-based surveys with a separate group of students with IDD (n = 18) assessed feasibility of each innovation. Collaborative group discussions were used to assess each innovation, and quantitate data were used to assess innovation feasibility.

Results: A total of 16 innovations were constructed: 4 sexual health, dating and relationships, 2 drugs and/or alcohol, 2 exercise and physical activity, 2 socializing, leisure and recreation, 2 food and nutrition and 4 mental health.

Conclusion: Design thinking methods are a suitable strategy to use with individuals with IDD and led to the development of innovations with high relevancy and feasibility for college students with IDD.