Training Healthcare Professionals to Work with People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

This study assessed 155 healthcare providers, from nine disciplines, who work professionally with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Using a national, web-based survey, respondents rated their experience, comfort, and competence in treating individuals with different disability types and preferred methods of continuing education; respondents also provided suggestions for attracting others to work with the IDD population. Findings revealed that experiences, comfort, and competence were all higher concerning persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID), lower for those with deaf-blindness. Overall, levels of experience exceeded levels of comfort, which in turn exceeded levels of competence. The most helpful venues for continued training involved day-to-day contact with persons with IDD, which also characterized open-ended responses. Research and practical implications are discussed.