Amy Shellard

Bio: Amy Shellard is an academic researcher from Special Olympics. The author has contributed to research in topics: Intellectual disability & Athletes. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 9 publications receiving 34 citations.

Global oral health status of athletes with intellectual disabilities

Abstract: The aim of this study is to identify the oral health status and treatment needs of Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities from 181 countries by the assessment of oral health parameters and differences between world regions. Data were collected through interview and oral examinations within the Healthy Athletes Screening. These data were analysed with descriptive statistics of oral health parameters of athletes from Africa, Asia Pacific, East Asia, Europe/Eurasia, Latin America, Middle East North Africa (MENA) and North America. Mean differences of untreated visible dental caries, gingival signs and missing teeth were tested between regions by one-way ANOVA test and between age groups (8–11, 12–18, 19–39 and 40+) by chi-square tests for multiple comparisons with Hochberg-adjusted p value. The level of significance for all tests was set at a p value < 0.05. A total of 149,272 athletes with intellectual disabilities were screened. More than 80% of the athletes reported that they cleaned their mouths at least once a day. Athletes in Europe/Eurasia, Latin America, and MENA presented higher rates of signs of gingival disease than other regions. The prevalence of untreated dental caries was significantly higher in Latin America and the group of 8–11-year-olds from Latin America, Europe/Eurasia and Asia Pacific. The data provided by this study demonstrate that continuous efforts for preventive and restorative oral health care are needed for the oral health of these athletes with ID especially in Latin America, MENA and Europe/Eurasia regions.

The Meaning of Social Inclusion to Players With and Without Intellectual Disability in Unified Sports Teams

Abstract: Sport can be a means for promoting social inclusion but to date, the perspectives of participants have been rarely sought. Focus groups interviews were held with 6 Special Olympic, Unified...

Obesity in youth and adults with intellectual disability in Europe and Eurasia

Abstract: Background Information about obesity among people with intellectual disability comes mostly from small-scale, national samples in high-income countries. There are limited data from transnational studies. Method BMI scores had been obtained for over 25,000 youth and adults with intellectual disabilities drawn from 60 European and Eurasian countries. Their height and weight had been measured using standardized procedures when they attended Special Olympics Healthy Athletes events. Results Binary logistic regression identified higher levels of obesity for athletes living in high-income countries, and for adult females, for those aged 30 years and over, and also for youth aged 8-13 years. Conclusions Participation in sports does not appear to have protected these athletes from obesity. Arguably, this remains the most pressing health issue for people with intellectual disability, particularly in Western Europe.

わかりやすい障害者の権利条約 : 知的障害のある人の権利のために = Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities

Abstract: The present report is submitted in response to General Assembly resolution 61/106, by which the Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto. As requested by the Assembly, a brief overview of the status of the Convention as at 3 August 2007 is presented. The report also contains a brief description of technical arrangements on staff and facilities made necessary for the effective performance of the functions of the Conference of States Parties and the Committee under the Convention and the Optional Protocol, and a description on the progressive implementation of standards and guidelines for the accessibility of facilities and services of the United Nations system. Recent efforts of the United Nations and agencies to disseminate information on the Convention and the Optional Protocol are also described.

Towards inclusive cities and social sustainability: A scoping review of initiatives to support the inclusion of people with intellectual disability in civic and social activities

Abstract: The inclusion of people with intellectual disability in cultural and civic activities is an important point for discussion, particularly in the context of supporting the social sustainability of our local communities and cities. In line with a human rights approach to disability and inclusion, local governments and community organisations are poised to play a pivotal role in the inclusion of people with intellectual disability. Using PRISMA-P guidelines, we undertook a scoping review of local inclusion building initiatives in Australia and comparative international countries that helped connect people with intellectual disability with their local council and community. We also examined what role people with intellectual disability played in the assessment and evaluation of these resources in the literature. We analysed the initiative outcomes discussed in the included papers across the five themes outlined in framework for Building Inclusive Cities (Broadband & Keiran 2019) and through the lens of Simplican et al.’s (2015) framework for community participation. Participation-building initiatives that were investigated included more general community groups, specific community groups (Men's Shed, Unified Sports teams), dog walking, peer advocacy, community conversation and community mentorship. One out of the 11 studies reported an inclusive research methodology (Power, Bartlett, & Hall, 2016). Analysis of the results offers opportunities to consider the ways in which the personal preferences of people with intellectual disability can be interwoven with structure and levels of participation to improve social inclusion in their local communities.

Prevalence of underweight, wasting and stunting among young children with a significant cognitive delay in 47 low‐income and middle‐income countries

Abstract: Background Undernutrition in early childhood is associated with a range of negative outcomes across the lifespan. Little is known about the prevalence of exposure to undernutrition among young children with significant cognitive delay. Method Secondary analysis of data collected on 161 188 three‐ and four‐year‐old children in 47 low‐income and middle‐income countries in Rounds 4–6 of UNICEF's Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Of these, 12.3% (95% confidence interval 11.8–12.8%) showed evidence of significant cognitive delay. Results In both middle‐income and low‐income countries, significant cognitive delay was associated with an increased prevalence of exposure to three indicators of undernutrition (underweight, wasting and stunting). Overall, children with significant cognitive delay were more than twice as likely than their peers to be exposed to severe underweight, severe wasting and severe stunting. Among children with significant cognitive delay (and after controlling for country economic classification group), relative household wealth was the strongest and most consistent predictor of exposure to undernutrition. Conclusions Given that undernutrition in early childhood is associated with a range of negative outcomes in later life, it is possible that undernutrition in early childhood may play an important role in accounting for health inequalities and inequities experienced by people with significant cognitive delay in low‐income and middle‐income countries.

People with intellectual disability in Ireland are still dying young.

Abstract: Background People with intellectual disability die younger than their non-disabled peers. In recent years, greater attention has been paid to closing the gap. However, evidence that this is being achieved is limited by the dearth of longitudinal, national data. Method Over 4,000 decedents identified in the Irish National Intellectual Disability Database from 2001 to 2016 were compared to deaths in the general population based on age and gender profiles using death rates and standardised mortality ratios. A binary logistic regression analysis also identified the characteristics of persons who had a higher risk of dying. Results Irish people with intellectual disability die younger and have a higher rate of death than their non-disabled peers. Nor has the gap between their mortality and that of the general population closed in recent years. Conclusions More concentrated effort is needed in Ireland on promoting equitable access to health services for people with intellectual disability.