On this page, you will find information and resources about specific strategies available to support people with I/DD, brain injuries, or other cognitive disabilities and a mental health condition, including emerging and best practices, models, and interventions. Services and supports can be provided by people like health professionals, families, and peers.
- Prioritizing Mental Health in Adults With Developmental Disabilities— Blog exploring therapeutic approaches that support self-expression, belonging, and self-discovery through art, music, physical activity, social connection, and sensory exploration (Life Services Alternatives, 2023)
- Autism, Aging, and Dementia: A Consensus Report of the Autism/Dementia Work Group of the 2nd International Summit on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia— Workgroup report about autism and dementia, exploring genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors, and highlighting best practices for assessing and supporting older adults with autism and cognitive impairments (International Summit Autism/Dementia Work Group, 2024)
- Mental Health Services and Resources for Children With Developmental Disabilities and Their Families: Scan of Local Practices, Gaps, and Opportunities Created— Report mapping local pediatric mental health services for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, highlighting gaps in accessibility and suggesting improvements, including more telehealth options (Hanson, Heslon, and Ogourtsova, 2023)
- Plain Language Summary: Considerations To Improve Services for Refugees With Disabilities and Mental Health Concerns— Plain language summary that describes the challenges refugees with disabilities face before and after they come to the U.S., the impact on their mental health, and considerations for treatment (Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center and ACL, 2022)
- Considerations To Improve Services for Refugees With Disabilities and Mental Health Concerns— Fact sheet that describes the challenges refugees with disabilities face before and after they come to the U.S., the impact on their mental health, and considerations for treatment (Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center and ACL, 2022)
- Music Therapy Interventions for Deaf Clients With Dual Diagnosis— Article that describes music therapy experiences and their effectiveness for deaf patients with dual diagnoses, including cultural aspects of music within the Deaf community and their implications for creating music therapy interventions (Voices, Anna Johnson Ward, 2016)
- A Macro Guide to Managing Big Emotions— Article that describes intense emotions and offers strategies for the person experiencing those feelings and those around them (Psychology Today, 2024)
- A Louisiana Guide to Providing Behavioral Health Services for Individuals with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability (I/DD): A Guide for the General Clinician— Guide that highlights the adjustments and accommodations a clinician can make to ensure that needed behavioral health services are accessible to individuals with I/DD (Louisiana Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, 2022)
- Examining Adults With Neuroatypical Conditions for MCI/Dementia: Barriers and Recommendations of the Neuroatypical Conditions Expert Consultative Panel— Neuroatypical Conditions Expert Consultative Panel convening to discuss barriers to the examination of cognitive impairment in adults with a variety of neuroatypical conditions (including autism, intellectual disability, and serious mental illness) with recommendations for improving care (Janicki, Hendrix, and McCallion, 2022)
- Family Interaction Training (FIT) Program: A Critical New Tool To Support Families and Communities— Materials that were developed for use by professionals who work with young children, but who are not mental health experts, to help parents learn evidence-based parenting strategies (Association of University Centers on Disabilities)
- Selected Findings From National Core Indicators® Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Adult Family Survey, Family Guardian Survey, and Child Family Survey— 2021-22 data at a glance (National Core Indicators® - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 2023)
- Webinar Series: Parenting with Co-Occurring Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (Video)— Webinar (1:27:41) that brings together families to share their stories and experiences in parenting their children who have co-occurring mental health and developmental disabilities (Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center, 2022)
- Addressing Mental Health in Youth With IDD During Transition to Adulthood (Video)— Webinar (1:35:08) that shares the experiences and learnings from a transition clinic that supports young adults with I/DD and mental health support needs (MHDD National Training Center, 2022)
- Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Digital Storytelling Series: Melissa's Story (Video)— Video (22:02) in which Melissa Malcolm King — a forty-year-old Black individual from Salt Lake City, UT with developmental disabilities and mental health conditions — shares experiences with growing up and attending school, challenges with employment, and advocacy to help others (Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center, 2021)