Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Involving Individuals with Developmental Language Disorder and Their Parents/Carers in Research Priority Setting
Published on: June 6, 2020
Supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate in their communities through
Andrea Gossett Zakrajsek1, Joy Hammel, Joseph A Scazzero
1Occupational Therapy Program, School of Health Sciences, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, USA.
Background:
Increasingly, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are supported to participate in least-restricted settings in the community. However, little is known about desired community participation choice and control of people with I/DD, nor effective strategies to support full participation. Furthermore, service providers of this population in community and residential settings have unique roles in influencing choice and control in community participation.
Research Aim:
The purpose of this project is to empower adults with I/DD in community participation by collaborating with agency staff and administrators to strategize change in service provision and programming.
Methods:
This article describes the development, imple-mentation and mixed-methods evaluation of a pilot staff intervention.
Results:
Findings indicate staff who participated in pilot intervention report increased confidence in supporting adults with I/DD to participate in their communities.
Conclusions:
Intervention development has implications for staff, administrators and agencies in planning and executing opportunities to support choice and control for community participation for adults with I/DD.
Related Concept Videos
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Intellectual Disability
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...