Trauma in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: reactions of parents and caregivers to research participation

Assessing Alignment Between Intellectual and Developmental Disability Service Providers and Trauma-Informed Care: An Exploratory Study

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are disproportionately impacted by potentially traumatic experiences; however, organizations serving this population have lagged in their integration of trauma-informed care (TIC). Trauma-informed care is a systemwide response to the pervasiveness of trauma that frequently requires an organizational shift rooted in staff training. Using an online statewide survey, the present study examined beliefs and training among IDD service providers. Responses from 288 service providers suggested some alignment among beliefs and staff training content with TIC principles. Although the findings indicate a foundation for TIC, intentional efforts are needed for IDD agencies to fully embrace TIC.

Parental perspectives on research for Down syndrome

BACKGROUND

Down syndrome is the most common genetic disorder associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Research to improve health care outcomes in Down syndrome lags significantly behind other disease categories. Among these reasons are funding, recruitment and availability of research studies being conducted.

METHODS

We surveyed 228 parents of individuals with Down syndrome to understand their perceptions of research, study design, how they seek out information and topics they would like to see researched.

RESULTS

Parents with children 18 years and younger responded to our survey. Parents indicated their willingness to participate in research (72%), yet few have (36%). Parents identified barriers to participation, research they feel would help their child, and interests in seeing new therapies and drug studies.

CONCLUSION

These findings identify recommendations and insights from parents on future research agendas, studies and recruitment strategies that may help researchers improve outcomes for individuals with Down syndrome.

Perceptions of trauma research with a sample of at-risk youth

Growing body of research demonstrates that participants generally report favorable perceptions of participating in trauma research. However, questions remain on the long-term impact of asking at-risk youth about trauma in settings where such questions are unexpected. Perceptions of participation were examined in the current longitudinal study comprising a sample of adolescent girls recruited from the child welfare system to participate in a healthy relationship project. Over a year, teens (n = 180) completed four research sessions during which they were interviewed about interpersonal trauma exposure and trauma-related symptoms. Results indicated that adolescents reported stable, favorable benefit-to-cost ratios over time. Perceptions of research participation and symptom severity did not impact retention.

Clinical assessment of PTSD in children with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE

There are few studies regarding assessment and treatment of trauma-related disorders in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). The aims of this study were to determine (1) the feasibility of an adapted version of a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-clinical interview and (2) to what extent manifestation of PTSD in a sample of children with mild to borderline ID corresponds with four existing PTSD algorithms.

METHOD

Fifteen children who visited a special need school were interviewed.

RESULTS

In all children, the full interview could be completed. Potentially traumatic events (A1 criterion), and PTSD symptoms for children with mild to borderline ID were similar to those observed in children without ID.

CONCLUSIONS

The manifestation of PTSD in children with mild to borderline ID corresponds with the manifestation of PTSD in children without ID. The data provide no reason to broaden PTSD criterion A1 for children with mild to borderline ID.