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Interventions to support caregivers and teachers of children with an intellectual or developmental disability.

April 8, 2025 from 1:30 pm to 2:50 pm

Caregivers (parents or carers) and teachers of children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) experience higher levels of negative psychological well-being (stress, distress, anxiety, etc) and lower levels of positive mental well-being. As part of the environment within which the child grows, they are also instrumental in the well-being and positive outcomes achieved by children with IDD. For example, there is evidence that relationship quality and psychological well-being in parents or teachers of children with IDD are important factors determining the child’s mental health. This symposium will describe three intervention approaches designed to support mental well-being and positive relationships between caregivers/teachers and children with an IDD.

Chair: Jan Blacher, University of California, Riverside,

Discussant: Christine Moody, University of California, Los Angeles

First Presentation: A feasibility randomised controlled trial of remotely-delivered Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) for parents of children with intellectual disability referred to specialist mental health services
Vaso Totsika, University College London, Angela Hassiotis, University College London (UK)
Eilis Kennedy, Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust (UK)
Michael Absoud, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (UK)
Rachel McNamara, Cardiff University (UK)
Elizabeth Randell, Cardiff University (UK)
Manuel Gomes, University College London (UK)
Sophie Levitt, Brighter Futures for Children, Reading (UK)
Gemma Grant, Challenging Behaviour Foundation (UK)
Angela Casbard, Cardiff University (UK)
Charmaine Kohn, Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust (UK)
Zhixing Yang, University College London (UK)
Lauren Turner, University College London (UK)
Vanessa Cieplinska, University College London (UK)
Juliana Gomes de la Silva, University College London (UK)
Kian Fortes, University College London (UK)

Second Presentation: ACT for caregivers of individuals with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A focus on a diverse ethno-racial sample
Alaa Ibrahim, York University, – Jonathan Weiss, York University

  • Kenneth Fung, Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
  • Yona Lunsky, Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
  • Louisa L. Y. Man, Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
  • Kendra Thomson, Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Brock University
  • Nicole Bobbette, Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and Queen’s University
  • Melanie Penner, Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Johanna Lake, Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Third Presentation: Intervention to Enhance Student-Teacher Relationships: Positive collateral effects on teachers and caregivers
Jan Blacher, University of California, Riverside,