The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health, wellbeing, and access to services of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Background: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) may be especially vulnerable to changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic given an increased likelihood of health concerns, low socioeconomic status, and difficulty accessing services.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to explore mental health problems and services in individuals with IDD during the pandemic. We explored whether number of mental health problems differed by disability, age, gender, living situation, physical health, and access to services.

Vitamin D levels in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Association with seasonal and geographical variation, supplementation, inattention severity, and theta:beta ratio.

We examined seasonal and geographic effects on vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom severity, and effects of supplementation in 222 children age 7-10 with rigorously diagnosed ADHD. 25(OH)D insufficiency rates were 47.2 % in Ohio and 28.

Assessing Activity of Daily Living Task Performance Among Autistic Adults.

Unlabelled: Activities of daily living (ADLs) are activities that people engage in on a routine basis, such as brushing their teeth, preparing a meal, and caring for their child. Independence with ADLs is associated with better outcomes in independent living, education, employment, relationships, and mental health. Therefore, this perspective piece includes a review of the literature and assessment databases to identify and summarize ADL assessments for Autistic adults.

Healthcare providers' role in providing sexual and reproductive health information to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A qualitative study.

Background: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities demonstrate disparities in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) compared to individuals without disabilities (e.g., lack of sexual education and knowledge, increased rates of abuse, unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections).

Predictors of Caregiver Strain for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face higher levels of caregiver strain compared to parents of children with other disabilities. This study examined child clinical features that predict high levels of caregiver strain for 374 parents of children with ASD. Caregiver strain was measured using the Caregiver Strain Questionnaire (CGSQ) objective, subjective internalized, and subjective externalized subscales.

The Effect of the Low FODMAP Diet on Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Behavioral Problems and Nutrient Intake in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Some research suggests that GI symptoms seen in children with ASD may relate to behavior problems. The objective of this pilot study was to assess the effect of the low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet on GI and behavioral problems in children with ASD. At follow-up, the low FODMAP diet group had significant relief in some GI problems compared with both baseline in the group and control group.

Getting comfortable with disability: The short- and long-term effects of a clinical encounter.

Background: Physicians report discomfort when interacting with patients with disabilities, which can negatively impact the quality of healthcare they provide.

Objective/hypothesis: An intervention structured around a formative clinical encounter was assessed for its effectiveness in changing comfort towards treating patients with disabilities. It was predicted that this encounter would have a positive short- and long-term impact on medical students.

What should we teach about disability? National consensus on disability competencies for health care education.

Background: Health care providers are unprepared to meet the health needs of patients who have disabilities. Disability training is needed, yet there is little agreement about what should be taught.

Objective: Establish a national consensus on what healthcare providers across disciplines need to know to provide quality care to patients with all types of disabilities (e.

Who thrives as a direct support professional? Personal motivation and resilience in direct support.

Direct support professionals (DSPs) are an essential part of the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). High rates of DSP turnover and vacancy have spurred much research into the occupational stress and burnout experienced by DSPs. There are, however, DSPs who remain motivated by and successful in the profession.

Factor Structure of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome: Clarifications and Future Guidance.

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) is a standardized rating scale used for assessing problematic behavior of individuals with developmental disabilities. It has five subscales: Irritability, Social Withdrawal, Stereotypic Behavior, Hyperactivity, and Inappropriate Speech. A previous study in individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) reported six factors, with the Social Withdrawal factor bifurcating into Socially Unresponsive and Social Avoidance factors, suggesting a different factor structure in people with FXS.

Preconception Health Characteristics of Women with Disabilities in Ontario: A Population-Based, Cross-Sectional Study.

: There is growing recognition that preconception health, defined as the health of all reproductive-age individuals, impacts reproductive and perinatal outcomes. Although women with disabilities are becoming pregnant at increasing rates, little is known about their preconception health. Our objective was to describe the preconception health characteristics of women with physical, sensory, and intellectual/developmental disabilities and compare these characteristics with women without disabilities.

Effects of Extended-Release Methylphenidate Treatment on Cognitive Task Performance in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

To examine the effectiveness of four doses of psychostimulant medication, combining extended-release methylphenidate (ER-MPH) in the morning with immediate-release MPH (IR-MPH) in the afternoon, on cognitive task performance. The sample comprised 24 children (19 boys and 5 girls) who met the (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on the and the , and had significant symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This sample consisted of elementary school-age, community-based children (mean chronological age = 8.

Editorial: A Special Tree in the Forest: From Oak to Acorn to Oak.

In this issue of the Journal, Sucksdorff et al. present additional evidence of maternal health and nutrition during pregnancy affecting offspring mental health. In the Finnish National Registry, the authors identified 1,067 cases of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and 1,067 matched controls.

The public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic for people with disabilities.

With the rapidly changing landscape of the COVID-19 outbreak, how to best address the needs and continue to protect the health and well-being of people with disabilities (PwDs) is a global public health priority. In this commentary we identify three public health areas of ongoing need and offer possible strategies to address each. These areas include: the types of data that would help clarify risks for PwDs and help assure their safety long term; the prevention, treatment and mitigation measures for PwDs that are needed through the duration of the outbreak; and the issues of equity in access to and quality of medical care for PwDs.

Implementing Living Independent From Tobacco With Dyads of People With Disabilities and Their Caregivers: Successes and Lessons Learned.

People with disabilities have more health complications and higher healthcare utilization related to tobacco use than people without disabilities. Yet, they are less likely to use tobacco cessation resources. Important to meaningful and lasting health behavior change are relationships developed in the home, workplace, and community.

A call to action: Preparing a disability-competent health care workforce.

People with disabilities make up the largest minority population in the country, yet our health care workforce is unprepared to meet their needs. Two initiatives - and the Alliance for Disability in Health Care Education's Disability Competencies and the Resources for Integrated Care Disability-Competent Care model-provide essential tools to build a health care workforce prepared to meet the health needs of people with disabilities. We note gaps in health education and continuing education curricula, document barriers to progress, and demonstrate how the two initiatives offer a clear roadmap to effect systemic change.

A Pilot Study of Cardiovascular Reactivity in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

In preparation for a larger case-control study of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and anxiety, we conducted a pilot study using a noninvasive electrocardiographic device to measure cardiovascular reactivity in 10 children (age range 9-14) with ASD. The 45-minute procedure included 6 conditions: baseline rest, an interview about school, interim rest, an unfair computerized ball-toss game followed by a fair version of the game, and a final rest. Data were successfully collected for 95% of all conditions.

Development of a Composite Primary Outcome Score for Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Emotional Dysregulation.

Study goals were to (1) provide a rationale for developing a composite primary outcome score that includes symptom severity for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and emotional dysregulation, plus symptom-induced impairment; (2) demonstrate weighting methods to calculate the composite score using a sample of children diagnosed with ADHD and aggression; and (3) identify the optimal weighting method most sensitive to change, as measured by effect sizes. We conducted secondary data analyses from the previously conducted Treatment of Severe Childhood Aggression (TOSCA) study. Children aged 6-12 years were recruited through academic medical centers or community referrals.

Healthcare services utilization among people with intellectual disability and comparison with the general population.

Background: Studies have reported unmet health needs in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). This study illustrated and analysed patterns of healthcare services utilization among people with intellectual disability and compared their use to that of the general population.

Method: Participants (N = 791, aged 15-82) were mainly recruited through government-financed agencies specializing in services for people with intellectual disabilities in Québec, Canada.

Using technology and remote support services to promote independent living of adults with intellectual disability and related developmental disabilities.

Background: The use of remote support technologies is a newer form of service that can contribute to increased independence while giving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities a sense of home safety. This research reviewed the use of remote support services, which is a waiver service that includes smart home technologies and remote support staff that can be called upon, when needed.

Method: Using focus groups and telephone interviews, the present authors asked users of remote support services about their experience, including what they liked most and least about their experience with these technologies.

Different abilities needed at home and school: The relation between executive function and adaptive behaviour in adolescents with Down syndrome.

Studies have shown that executive function abilities are related and have predictive power over adaptive behaviour in both typical and atypical populations. This study examined the relationship between executive functioning and adaptive behaviour in adolescents with Down syndrome, as it has not been studied before in this population. We propose and test a model of how each core EF (i.

Living Independent From Tobacco reduces cigarette smoking and improves general health status among long-term tobacco users with disabilities.

Background: People with disabilities disproportionately use tobacco and suffer associated negative health consequences. Research is needed to explore tobacco cessation programming for people with disabilities to counter these health disparities.

Objective: We evaluated the impact of Living Independent From Tobacco on tobacco use, knowledge and attitudes about tobacco use, coping skills, and perceived health status among people with disabilities.

Influences of Work and Family Spillover on Filial and Sandwiched Caregivers' Psychological Well-Being.

There has been a documented increase in the numbers of filial and sandwiched caregivers in the United States. However, past studies have overlooked the impact of work and family overload on caregiver well-being. This study investigates the moderating influences of the quality and directionality of work and family spillover on the well-being (e.