Journal of Intellectual Disabilities 

About: Journal of Intellectual Disabilities is an academic journal published by SAGE Publishing. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Intellectual disability & Medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 1744-6295. Over the lifetime, 886 publications have been published receiving 10559 citations. The journal is also known as: JOID.

The barriers to social inclusion as perceived by people with intellectual disabilities.

Abstract: Very little research has been done on social inclusion from the perspective of people with intellectual disabilities, including perceived barriers and remedies. Focus groups were held with 68 persons, mostly tenants in supported living or shared group homes. Qualitative data were obtained using a mix of workshop activities and small group discussions. Four main barriers were identified: lack of necessary knowledge and skills; role of support staff and service mangers; location of house; and community factors such as lack of amenities and attitudes. Participants were able to identify a range of solutions for these barriers. Most of their proposals were in line with the aims of current government policy and good practice.These findings reinforce the contribution individuals could make to the planning of local services for themselves and others.This advocacy has been an essential element in reducing the social isolation of other marginalized groups.

Levels of anxiety and sources of stress in adults with autism.

Abstract: Clinical reports suggest that anxiety is a pertinent issue for adults with autism. We compared 34 adults with autism with 20 adults with intellectual disabilities, utilizing informant-based measures of anxiety and stress. Groups were matched by age, gender and intellectual ability. Adults with autism were almost three times more anxious than the comparison group and gained significantly higher scores on the anxiety subscales of panic and agoraphobia, separation anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. In terms of sources of stress, significant differences between the two groups were also found, and stress was found to correlate with high anxiety levels for the autism group, particularly the ability to cope with change, anticipation, sensory stimuli and unpleasant events. That is, the more anxious the individual with autism, the less likely they were able to cope with these demands. This has important implications for clinicians in terms of both assessment and treatment.

A decade on: what have we learnt about supporting women with intellectual disabilities through the menopause?

Abstract: Carr and Hollins highlighted the paucity of research on the menopause in women with intellectual disabilities and, 10 years on, this area still remains poorly researched. Work exploring the age of onset of the menopause has suggested that the menopause is earlier in this group of women, but studies exploring what women with intellectual disabilities understand and experience during the menopause are limited. In this study 15 women with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities were interviewed using a semi-structured interview on a one-to-one basis about their knowledge and understanding of the menopause. Findings revealed limited accessible information about the menopause and a paucity in the women's knowledge and understanding about the menopause. This suggests a need for more accessible information, in order to increase understanding and awareness of the menopause in these women.

Adolescents with intellectual disabilities as victims of abuse.

Abstract: Abuse of persons with disabilities continues to remain largely invisible, in spite of estimates suggesting that it is perpetrated against them more frequently than against those without disabilities. The aim of this study was to conduct an exploratory investigation regarding the frequency and type of abuse of a selected group of students with intellectual disabilities in one high school in Israel and compare the findings with the frequency and type of abuse reported by non-disabled youth from a similar socioeconomic background. A total of 100 students answered the "Ending the Silence" questionnaire, 50 of them with intellectual and other disabilities. The main findings indicate that students with intellectual and other disabilities suffered from abuse more frequently than their peers; most of the instances of abuse occurred within the close social environment of the victim and were repeated over time.

Positive contributions made by children with an intellectual disability in the family : Mothers' and fathers' perceptions

Abstract: The aims of this article were to test the psychometric properties of the Positive Contributions Scale (PCS), and to compare perceptions of positive contributions reported by mothers and fathers. Participants were 140 mothers and 60 fathers of children with intellectual disabilities. Results supported the reliability and construct validity of the PCS. Internal consistency was good for all subscales bar one, and the PCS total score was associated with scores on the Positive Affect Scale. There were differences on PCS scales for mothers and fathers, with mothers generally reporting more positive contributions than fathers. The PCS is a reasonably robust measure and its use in future research should help to address questions about the nature and function of parental positive perceptions. The PCS might also be used in applied settings to help balance the effects of asking families about their difficulties and support needs.