Key Considerations for Providing Self-Management Support to Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe aim of this review is to identify key considerations for health providers delivering self-management support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) living with chronic health conditions.Recent FindingsThere is an emerging body of evidence to inform the delivery of self-management support for adults with IDD living with chronic health conditions. The most extensive research on this topic relates to diabetes self-management, with a small number of studies on general chronic disease self-management. Three over-arching themes were identified: (1) acknowledging autonomy, responsibility, and risk; (2) building the capacity of caregivers, and (3) attending to emotional needs and psychosocial factors.SummaryTo facilitate wellness, it is critical that health providers are equipped with the knowledge and resources required to provide appropriately tailored self-management supports for people with IDD living with a range of chronic health conditions. This review extends our current understanding of this approach and identifies both unique considerations and tensions that exist for this population and their caregivers.
Source: Current Developmental Disorders Reports - Category: Child Development Source Type: research