Resources on Trauma-informed Care for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

The following resources are supplemental to my presentation on "How to Provide Trauma-informed Care" to individuals with Developmental Disabilities.

Introduction: 1 in 6 individuals are diagnosed with a developmental disability (DD). Some DDs include Down's Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, Rett's Syndrome, Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder (ADHD), and Fragile-X Syndrome.

This population is at a high risk for experiencing childhood trauma as well as trauma during adolescence and adulthood. Providing a Trauma-informed approach to care is highly valuable in fostering positive health outcomes and good quality of life.

Journal Articles:

• Guest, J. D., & Ohrt, J. H. (2018). Utilizing child-centered play therapy with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and endured trauma: A case example. International Journal of Play Therapy, 27(3), 157–165. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000074

• Hoch, J. D., & Youssef, A. M. (2020). Predictors of Trauma Exposure and Trauma Diagnoses for Children with Autism and Developmental Disorders Served in a Community Mental Health Clinic. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(2), 634–649. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04331-3

• Kildahl, A. N., Helverschou, S. B., & Oddli, H. W. (2020). Clinicians’ retrospective perceptions of failure to detect sexual abuse in a young man with autism and mild intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 45(2), 194–202. https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2019.168082

• Lobregt-van Buuren, E., Sizoo, B., Mevissen, L., & de Jongh, A. (2019). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy as a Feasible and Potential Effective Treatment for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and a History of Adverse Events. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 49(1), 151–164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3687-6

• Morgart, K., Harrison, J. N., Hoon, A. H., Jr, & Wilms Floet, A. M. (2021). Adverse childhood experiences and developmental disabilities: risks, resiliency, and policy. Developmental medicine and child neurology, 63(10), 1149–1154. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14911

• Parr, J. R., Brice, S., Welsh, P., Ingham, B., Le Couteur, A., Evans, G., Monaco, A., Freeston, M., & Rodgers, J. (2020). Treating anxiety in autistic adults: study protocol for the Personalised Anxiety Treatment-Autism (PAT-A©) pilot randomised controlled feasibility trial. Trials, 21(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-020-4161-2

• Rich, A. J., DiGregorio, N., & Strassle, C. (2021). Trauma-informed care in the context of intellectual and developmental disability services: Perceptions of service providers. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 25(4), 603–618. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744629520918086

• Reese, Shannonlee BSN, RN, FNE1; Deutsch, Stephanie Anne MD, MS, FAAP2. Sexual Assault Victimization Among Children and Youth With Developmental Disabilities: Responding With Trauma-Informed Care. Journal of Forensic Nursing: 1/3 2020 - Volume 16 - Issue 1 - p 55-60 doi: 10.1097/JFN.0000000000000278

• Rimmer, J. H., Yamaki, K., Lowry, B. M. D., Wang, E., & Vogel, L. C. (2010). Obesity and obesity-related secondary conditions in adolescents with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 54(9), 787–794. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2788.2010.01305.x

• Santoro, A. F., Shear, S. M., & Haber, A. (2018). Childhood adversity, health and quality of life in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 62(10), 854–863. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12540

• Zablotsky, B., & Black, L. I. (2020). Prevalence of Children Aged 3-17 Years With Developmental Disabilities, by Urbanicity: United States, 2015-2018. National Health Statistics Reports, 139, 1–7.

Trauma Informed Care for Behavior Analysts:

• https://cuspemergence.com/tiba-series/

• Rajaraman, A., Austin, J. L., Gover, H. C., Cammilleri, A. P., Donnelly, D. R., & Hanley, G. P. (2022). Toward trauma-informed applications of behavior analysis. Journal of applied behavior analysis, 55(1), 40–61. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.881

• Behavioral Observations Podcast "What is Trauma-informed ABA?" https://behavioralobservations.com/what-is-trauma-informed-aba-session-131-with-camille-kolu/

• ACES from an ABA perspective Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2190700404281176/

Tips for finding Trauma-informed Providers

• Shared decision making with their patients / clients

• Listens to voices of the population they serves

• Understands that psychology, ABA, and other systems have a history of doing harm to this population and ensures that their practices do not harm their patients

• Promotes autonomy and acknowledges patient consent and assent

• Is collaborative, person-centered, and individualized.

• Promotes cultural safety and psychological safety

Other resources:

• Trauma-informed Care Toolkithttps://www.relias.com/resource/5-key-elements-to-trauma-informed-care-for-idd-orgs

• I/DD information toolkit https://iddtoolkit.vkcsites.org/

• COVID-19 Materials for individuals with I/DD https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/humandevelopment/COVID-19-Materials-for-People-with-IDD.html

• California Parent & Youth Helpline (support group in response to Coronavirus for Parents, Children, and Youth Call, text, or chat : 1-855-427-2736 Email: https://caparentyouthhelpline. org/

• Support Groups within the North Los Angeles Area https://www.nlacrc.org/home/showpublisheddocument/9581/637311768290500000

For additional information or a consultation on how to ensure your providing trauma-informed care to the individuals you serve, please reach out to me at ptpablo@symphonybh.com