Preparing Nurses to Care for People with Developmental Disabilities

Education of Healthcare Professionals on an Integrated Care Pathway in order to Standardize Practice and Improve Outcomes for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) who engage in Self-Injurious Behavior (SIB)

“…One reason this group is growing is the survival of extremely low birth weight, premature infants whose gestational status places them at risk for overt and subtle neurologic and other physical disorders. Additionally, there has been increased vigilance in screening for autism and developmental risks in general (Gardner, 2012). Perhaps the most important impact of this increase may be found in the fact that the growing population of children diagnosed with IDD will become a population of adults and older adults (Gardner, 2012).…”

“…Additionally, there has been increased vigilance in screening for autism and developmental risks in general (Gardner, 2012). Perhaps the most important impact of this increase may be found in the fact that the growing population of children diagnosed with IDD will become a population of adults and older adults (Gardner, 2012). These realities will increasingly require specialized, high-quality health services.…”