March, known as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, is an opportunity to celebrate the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life while also acknowledging the barriers they still face.
The rate of mental health conditions for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) is estimated to be two to three times higher than for the general population. Up to 35% of people with IDD also have co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, major neurocognitive challenges, and motor stereotypies.
To better serve people with developmental disabilities, it’s important to recognize and address their unique needs to ensure they receive equitable and effective care. In this post, we’ll share a list of best practices for mental health professionals who work with this population.
According to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, intellectual and developmental disabilities are defined as differences that are usually present at birth and that uniquely affect the trajectory of the individual’s physical, intellectual, and/or emotional development. Many of these conditions affect multiple body parts or systems.
A few examples of developmental disabilities include autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, hearing loss, learning challenges, vision impairment, and ADHD.
People living with developmental disabilities can face various challenges, such as issues with mobility, communication, independent living, and physical and mental health. Moreover, people with IDD experience trauma, including abuse and neglect, at higher rates than those without IDD.
As the Texas Health and Human Services puts it, “People with IDD are often defined by their behavior. Recognizing that their behavior is a form of communication and not a symptom of disability is crucial to understanding and meeting their needs.”
Jordan Smelley is a Mental Health Peer Specialist in Texas and a person in long-term recovery from intellectual and developmental differences with co-occurring mental health challenges. His work involves educating the community about supporting persons with IDD and advocating for policies and practices that promote accessibility and inclusiveness.
Jordan is also the 2023 recipient of the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Texas Chapter Empowerment Award for Excellence in Promotion of Self-Advocacy.
He let us know that while policy progress is often slow, he appreciates the small wins. Recently, Texas House Bill 3286 was passed, which is significant for people with IDD because it makes accessing new medications much easier.
On his site, you’ll find educational content, presentation recordings, and worksheets such as this one on Using Self-Awareness to Advocate for Support Needs in Different Environments.
Person-centered care means healthcare providers work collaboratively with other professionals and the person receiving their services to do what’s best for the person’s health and well-being. This could involve working closely with Peer Professionals, educators, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, or other specialists.
The approach is also focused on involving individuals in their care— amplifying and prioritizing the person's own goals, treatment preferences, values, and needs. Collaborative care opens the door to holistic assessment and intervention, ensuring that the individual's developmental and mental health needs are addressed comprehensively.
In the United States, people with disabilities receive substandard preventive care and have overall poorer health statuses compared to those without a disability, partly due to negative implicit attitudes from healthcare providers. You can work on reducing implicit bias by continuing to learn about the needs of people with IDD, listening to their feedback, and simply approaching your relationships with patience.
Tailor your care to each individual's unique needs, sensory preferences, and communication abilities. You can incorporate evidence-based practices such as visual supports, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, simplified language, structured routines, and shorter sessions.
Given that many people with IDD have experienced trauma in some capacity, we recommend using a trauma-informed approach that emphasizes safety, trust, collaboration, and empowerment. If you don’t recognize the impact of trauma on children and adults with IDD, it can exacerbate past trauma or cause new trauma that compromises their ability to succeed.
Screen for co-occurring mental health or substance use challenges and other conditions to make sure you’re creating an effective treatment plan. It’s also worth considering biological, psychological, and environmental factors that might be influencing the individual's well-being.
Jordan Smelley pointed out that once people with IDD are diagnosed as having co-occurring mental health issues, it helps them gain more access to Peer Support services.
Advocate for inclusive practices within community settings to promote social engagement and belonging. You can also encourage people to get involved in community-based activities, networking groups, and recreational programs to foster meaningful relationships and enhance their quality of life.
We’ve collected a few resources you can use to continue learning and share with other folks in your network. Be sure to subscribe to the South Southwest MHTTC newsletter for news on upcoming events or trainings related to IDD.
