Caring for Individuals with IDD

Caring for diverse patient populations presents a lot of new and unique challenges for patients, providers, and family members. This week, I’m going to focus on one patient population in particular: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

History of the Best Buddies Keith Haring Logo - Best Buddies ...Throughout college, I have volunteered with and have been a peer mentor for the Best Buddies chapter at Union College. Best Buddies is a non-profit organization that strives to support individuals with IDD by providing them with one-on-one friendships, employment opportunities, development of leadership and communication skills, and self-advocacy skills. Being a part of Best Buddies has been a very rewarding experience, and has also shown me some of the challenges that individuals with IDD face everyday.

Challenges

One of the challenges that individuals with IDD face is communication. Often times, they can have difficulty communicating effectively with others, which can prevent them from being able to express their thoughts and feelings to family members, friends, or even healthcare providers.

Integration into society and employment are also two major challenges (1). Many individuals do not have a post-secondary education and aren’t able to access resources that would allow them to obtain internships or other experiences. Additionally, the stigma that exists surrounding intellectual and developmental disabilities can lead to social isolation and negative perceptions of hiring individuals with IDD.

These challenges and more combine to leave individuals with IDD with increased mental health problems, little to no income, and lower levels of independence (1).

Role of Caregivers & Healthcare for Individuals with IDD

Many individuals with IDD live with their families and rely on them for financial and emotional support, as well as advocacy. However, there is not always enough support for families that are caring for individuals with IDD. Many families are expected to provide lifelong care, but this is not feasible in some situations and extra support is needed (2). In Albany, St. Margaret’s Center provides 24-hour care and support for children with disabilities. This includes pediatric care, group activities, and helping families navigate insurance and other services. This is a very helpful option for families of younger children with disabilities, and it would be great to see similar resources for adults with IDD that face some of the same challenges.

In healthcare settings, the challenges faced by individuals with IDD can lead to poorer health outcomes, even with advocacy by caregivers. Individuals with IDD face higher rates of co-morbidities and chronic conditions, as well as challenges in understanding their own healthcare issues and the services that are available to them. A lot of providers don’t receive enough training and don’t have experience in communicating with and caring for individuals with IDD (3).

Resources

Some additional resources for individuals with IDD, such as this Early Intervention Program in New York, are listed here.

While there are a lot of improvements to be made in supporting individuals with IDD and their caregivers, we can start by understanding the unique challenges this population faces and how these challenges create barriers to integration and care.

18,206 thoughts on “Caring for Individuals with IDD

  1. Discover endless possibilities at our store! Explore hundreds of premier, rare cards, and more. Your journey to find the perfect card starts here. tcgseries.com

    Reply

  2. Unlock a world of fun at our Funko Pop store! Explore a treasure trove of rare, exclusive, and iconic figures. Your collection starts here. popbasement.com

    Reply

  3. Thank you so much as you have been willing to share information with us. We will forever admire all you have done here because you have made my work as easy as ABC. 借錢

    Reply

  4. Saya sangat menikmati desain dan tata letak situs web Anda. Sangat nyaman di mata yang membuatnya jauh lebih menyenangkan bagi saya untuk datang ke sini dan berkunjung lebih sering. 안전카지노사이트 Apakah Anda menyewa seorang desainer untuk membuat tema Anda? Pekerjaan yang fantastis!

    Reply

  5. The Real World App is an online platform created by Cobra Tate, designed for like-minded individuals who want to learn how to become wealthy in all realms.

    Reply

  6. نسعى في متجر جدايا لتوفير تجربة تسوق استثنائية لجميع محبي القرطاسية والحرف اليدوية. نحن نهدف
    إلى الجمع بين حب القرطاسية والحرف اليدوية في مكان واحد
    https://www.jadaia.com/

    Reply

  7. Thank you for this awesome content. I have been looking for what to watch then I stumbled on this page. Thanks for sharing. Also, Have a look at our article about Architects in Lahore.

    Reply

  8. Buy customize gift cards in dollar amounts ranging from $15 to $500. It is easy to check your gift card balance and get gift card help online, and there are no fees or expiration dates to worry about. Usable online or in store, Best Buy Gift Cards online, it’s perfect gift to ensure your friends and family get the gifts on their wish list.

    Reply

  9. I appreciate the informative article. It provided great insights. For those seeking premium sex toys, I suggest checking out the offerings from the Gvibe brand. They have a fantastic range suitable for both women and men.

    Reply

  10. A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. bandar lotre

    Reply

  11. QQDEWA merupakan apk game online dengan permainan terlengkap saat ini, banyak sekali permainan yang di sediakan oleh agen qq dewa resmi. qq dewa

    Reply

  12. بوابة الأحبار متخصصون في مجال الأحبار ومستلزمات الطباعة الأصلية والبديلة المتوافقة مع براندات
    متعددة منتجات ذات جودة عالية واسعار اقتصادية وتوصيل وشحن مجاني
    https://ggtoner.com/

    Reply

  13. Boost your online visibility with the best Seo services . Drive organic traffic, improve rankings, and dominate search results effortlessly.

    Reply

  14. When it comes to finding the fastest courier service in Delhi, look no further than Truxcargo. Renowned for its swift and efficient delivery solutions, Truxcargo stands out as the premier choice for rapid and reliable shipping in the bustling capital. Click here know more about Domestic courier services in Delhi

    Reply

  15. This is very educational content and written well for a change. It’s nice to see that some people still understand how to write a quality post! Weed Vapes

    Reply

  16. في تعطر افضل متاجر العطور نحرص على تقديم أجمل العطور التي تعكس أسلوبك وشخصيتك الفريدة.
    https://ta3ttar.com/

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *