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).
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.
18,386 thoughts on “Caring for Individuals with IDD”
معدات سباحة بافضل سعر في السعودية من متجر اوشن اوتفيترز نوفر افضل مستلزمات بحر بتخفيضات حتي النصف وعروض مميزة وشحن سريع اطلب الان Ocean outfitters
https://ocean-outfitters.com/
ocean
WPS Office为全球用户提供广泛的语言支持，包括英语、中文、法语、德语等，全面满足不同地区的使用需求。 无论是界面语言还是拼写检查，WPS都能带来多语言的流畅体验。
WPS Office
zh-wps
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. Cymhwysedd fisa America
Cymhwysedd fisa America
77Bet là nền tảng cá cược trực tuyến cung cấp các dịch vụ như cá cược thể thao và trò chơi giải trí. Nền tảng này hỗ trợ phương thức thanh toán đa dạng, bảo mật cao và có đội ngũ hỗ trợ chuyên nghiệp. 77Bet là đối tác chính thức của Hiệp hội Bóng đá Argentina (AFA) và câu lạc bộ Villarreal CF, khẳng định uy tín trong ngành cá cược trực tuyến
77betgratis
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your website?
My website is in the very same niche as yours and my visitors would really
benefit from a lot of the information you provide here.
Please let me know if this alright with you.
Many thanks!
Here is my webpage :: Pv wire
Randy
You have beaten yourself this time, and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts in future. Thank you for sharing great information to us. インドのビザを延長する
インドのビザを延長する
Hello it’s me, I am also visiting this site regularly,
this website is truly fastidious and the people are actually
sharing good thoughts.
Feel free to visit my site – URL
Olivia
BJ88 là một nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến cung cấp đa dạng các trò chơi cá cược, thể thao, và giải trí điện tử. Với giao diện dễ sử dụng, BJ88 mang đến cho người chơi một trải nghiệm thú vị, an toàn và minh bạch.
BJ88
KO66 là một nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến nổi bật, cung cấp nhiều trò chơi và dịch vụ cá cược hấp dẫn. Với giao diện thân thiện, tính năng bảo mật cao và hỗ trợ khách hàng tận tình, KO66 mang đến trải nghiệm giải trí thú vị và an toàn.
KO66
BET999 is an exciting and dynamic online betting platform that offers a wide range of sports, live events, and thrilling games. With a user-friendly interface, secure payment options, and competitive odds, BET999 delivers an exceptional betting experience.
BET999
Sharp Exchange is a dynamic betting exchange platform, catering to the Indian market with a user-friendly interface for sports enthusiasts and bettors. It offers a wide range of sports betting options, including cricket, football, and more, allowing users to bet on their favorite matches. Sharp Exchange stands out for its competitive odds, secure transactions, and live betting features. With a focus on providing a seamless experience, it ensures fast deposits, withdrawals, and 24/7 customer support. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced bettor, Sharp Exchange promises an engaging and reliable betting experience.
https://www.indibeti.com/sharp-exchange/
sharpxexchaange
I’ve been researching this topic for a while, and this article is by far the most informative one I’ve come across. Well done! www-crypto
OwaisSEO