The Impact of COVID: Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Format

Individual Presentation

Presenters

Neil Duchac, Kennesaw State UniversityFollow
Jill Minor, Wright State University - Main CampusFollow
Celia Scragg, Kennesaw State UniversityFollow

First Presenter's Institution

Kennesaw State University

First Presenter’s Email Address

nduchac@wright.edu

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Neil Duchac, DrPH, Ed.D., Ph.D., NCC, ACS, HS-BCP, CSC, LPC, is an associate professor of social work and human services at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. Additionally, he serves as the Executive Director of the Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth. He received his doctoral degrees in counselor education and supervision, higher education leadership and practice, and public health. Professionally, he is licensed in the state of Georgia as a professional counselor. Additionally, he is a certified school counselor. For the past 30 years, he has worked with individuals in both the fields of clinical mental health and developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Second Presenter's Institution

Wright State University

Second Presenter’s Email Address

jill.minor@wright.edu

Second Presenter's Brief Biography

Jill Minor is an assistant professor and program director of Wright State University’s School Counseling Program in Dayton, OH. Dr. Minor is an accomplished school counselor with over 15 years of experience at all levels K-12. Her research examines crisis planning and response, teaching effectiveness, and the professional role identity of school counselors. Dr. Minor has presented on topics such as school counselors’ role in school culture and climate, leadership, giftedness, and college and career services. Additionally, Dr. Minor works with local school districts to advance training and practices in counseling skill development and crisis intervention skills.

Third Presenter's Institution

Kennesaw State University

Third Presenter’s Email Address

cscragg@kennesaw.edu

Third Presenter's Brief Biography

Celia Scragg is the Academic Program Specialist with the Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth at Kennesaw State University. She has over 23 years of experience in education as a teacher, curriculum developer, academic coach, and teacher education instructor. Her work with the Academy focuses on the development, implementation, and execution of academic programs, policies and initiatives. She has a B.S in Education and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and is currently a doctoral student at Valdosta State University.

Location

Session Six Breakouts (Ballroom D)

Strand #1

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Strand #2

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Relevance

The focus of our presentation will be on how COVID has impacted students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in terms of mental health. Further, a discussion of noted regression in terms of social interaction and skills in dealing with emotionally triggering events will be discussed via case studies.

Brief Program Description

Students transitioning from high school to inclusive post-secondary education programs over the past couple of years have endured various mental health issues in addition to pre-existing intellectual and developmental disabilities. Further complicating these mental health issues has been the presence for many social isolation. Strategies and interventions for addressing these concerns will be presented.

Summary

This program will examine students transitioning from high school to inclusive post-secondary education programs at universities. All of these students have an intellectual or developmental disability often coupled with mental health concerns. As we understand, COVID was very challenging on the mental health of children, adolescents, and teens from both an educational and social perspective. The same holds true for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition to these challenges educationally and socially, there has been a noted regression in skills related to socializing and being part of a group in a face-to-face format. Students have struggled with the reintegration of activities into their regular daily lives. Through the use of case studies, the presenters will discuss interventions and strategies to make this reintegration smoother.

Evidence

Blanchflower, D. G., & Bryson, A. (2022). Covid and mental health in America. PLoS ONE, 17(7), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0269855

Cui, J., Lu, J., Weng, Y., Yi, G. Y., & He, W. (2022). COVID-19 impact on mental health. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 22(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-021-01411-w

Nakamura, M., Imaoka, M., Nakao, H., Hida, M., Imai, R., Tazaki, F., & Takeda, M. (2021). Increased anxiety about falls and walking ability among community‐dwelling Japanese older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Psychogeriatrics, 21(5), 826–831. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyg.12750

Sheppard-Jones, K., Avellone, L., Rumrill, P., & Seward, H. (2021). Impact of COVID-19: Considerations for individuals with developmental disabilities across major life domains. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 54(1), 5–13. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-201112

Sugawara, D., Gu, Y., Masuyama, A., Ng, S. L., Phoo, E. Y. M., Raja Reza Shah, R. I. A. B., Kubo, T., Chishima, Y., & Tee, E. Y. J. (2021). RE-COVER project: A survey on resilience, mental health, and fear of Covid-19 in four countries. BMC Research Notes, 14(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-021-05819-x

Learning Objective 1

To understand the transition challenges to college for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities following COVID

Learning Objective 2

To discuss the mental health challenges faced by individuals following COVID

Learning Objective 3

To gain an understanding of interventions and strategies for those in Inclusive Post Secondary Education Programs following COVID

Keyword Descriptors

COVID, intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Inclusive Education, Mental Health

Presentation Year

2023

Start Date

3-7-2023 1:00 PM

End Date

3-7-2023 2:15 PM

Recommended Citation

Duchac, Neil; Minor, Jill; and Scragg, Celia, "The Impact of COVID: Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities" (2023). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 9.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2023/2023/9