2021 NADD Ohio Conference Sponsor: Nisonger Center, UCEDD

 

What is the RRTC

Located at The Ohio State University’s Nisonger Center, the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Health and Function for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (RRTC) is a 5-year research project looking at the health and function of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD).

The RRTC on health and function will address two major barriers in this research:

1. We will develop self-report instruments to measure health, mental health, and health related quality of life in adults with ID. 
2. We will use these instruments in a national health surveillance protocol to establish the prevalence of mental illness among adults with intellectual disability in the U.S. 

As a result of this project, we hope to learn how adults with ID/DD can speak up more about their health; how many people with ID/DD also have mental health needs; how health affects the lives of people with ID/DD; how health professionals can listen to and treat their patients with ID/DD and how researchers can include people with ID/DD in health studies.

The project brings together disability & research experts to guide the work. The Disability Experience Expert Panel (DEEP) is made up of adults with ID/DD. The Research Experience Expert Panel (REEP) is a group of people who do research and work at academic centers. This Learning Collaborative guides all aspects of the research project.

Current Study

Currently we are engaged in a prevalence study on intellectual disability and mental illness.

Study Lead: Marc J. Tassé, PhD

Intellectual disability (ID) confers increased risk of mental illness; however, a robust prevalence study of the occurrence of mental illness in adults with intellectual disability has not been conducted in the United States. Prevalence estimates are based on previous research in the UK (Cooper, Smiley, Morrison, Williamson, & Allan, 2007; Stromme & Diseth, 2000) and on US studies that have used convenience samples (Fletcher, Barnhill, & Cooper, 2016; Reiss, 1994; Rojahn & Tassé, 1996; Smiley, 2005;) suggesting that mental illness occurs in 30% to 50% of adults with intellectual disability. Co-occurring mental illness is associated with an increased intensity and complexity of support needs compared to adults with ID without comorbid psychiatric disorders (Borthwick-Duffy, 1994; Rojahn, Matson, Naglieri, & Mayville, 2004; Tassé & Wehmeyer, 2010). A systematic national prevalence study is needed to guide federal policy and programs to address mental health problems in adults with intellectual disability.

For more information: 

Website: https://www.rrtcnisonger.org/research/study-2/ 

Plain Language: https://www.rrtcnisonger.org/clear-language/ 

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