Trauma-Informed Care for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: From Disparity to Policies for Effective Action

“We have met the enemy and it is us”: Healthcare professionals as the barrier to health equity for people with intellectual and developmental disability

“…Other barriers include health professionals' lack of effective communication skills, which may lead to diagnostic overshadowing, inadequate patient assessments, and inappropriate treatments (Guttman et al, 2021). Additionally, feelings of fear and embarrassment experienced by the PWIDD can result from prior trauma‐inducing healthcare experiences and they may have feelings of anxiety and discomfort in healthcare settings that lack sensory safe and/or accessible spaces to accommodate their needs (Houck & Dracobly, 2022). Finally, health systems have failed to provide adequate time and appropriate equipment to complete an accurate assessment of the health status of PWIDD (Doherty et al, 2020).…”

“…accessible spaces to accommodate their needs (Houck & Dracobly, 2022). Finally, health systems have failed to provide adequate time and appropriate equipment to complete an accurate assessment of the health status of PWIDD (Doherty et al, 2020).…”