Community News & Updates

Our virtual programs will be open to:

Adults with a developmental disability aged 40 years and older

Family caregivers aged 60 years and older OR caregivers of an adult with a developmental disability aged 40 years and older 

Health and social service providers supporting adults aged 40 years and older with developmental disabilities

For more information, please email us at brainhealthIDD@camh.ca

Interested? Click here to fill out our Expression of Interest Form

New Mindfulness Programs for family caregivers and care providers starting April 2024!

Mindfulness for Family Caregivers
Every Friday, April 19 to May 24, 2024, 12:30 – 1:30 PM EDT (optional post-session group discussion from 1:30 -1:45 PM)
Click here to view our flyer or register.

Mindfulness for Leaders and Frontline Professionals
Every Tuesday, April 23 to May 28, 2024, 12:00 – 12:45 PM EDT (optional post-session group discussion from 12:45-1:00 PM) 
Click here to view our flyer or register.

Mindfulness in 30 Program for Families, Leaders, and Staff  
Every Wednesday, June 5 to June 26, 2024, 6:30 -7:00 PM EDT
Click here to view our flyer or register.

Survey
Improving Online Health Resources

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities:
How do you use the internet for health information?

Everyone has a right to easy-to-understand information about health. The Developmental Disabilities Primary Care Program of Surrey Place, Special Olympics Ontario, and Bethesda Services are sharing a survey for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to explore a new way of online information sharing called “Steffi explains it clearly”. You do not have to be a Special Olympics athlete to fill out the survey; all adults with IDD can participate. Click here to fill out the survey.

Nabilone Clinical Trial

Now open to adults with IDD 18+
This study aims to improve the well-being of adults with developmental disabilities and distressing behaviours through the use of Nabilone medication.

Recruiting adults 18 years of age or older, with a developmental disability and difficulty managing anxiety or frustration. Other eligibility criteria apply. To determine full eligibility, contact the study team.
 

For more information and to enroll: 
Phone: 416-535-8501 ext. 32817
Email: n-and@camh.ca or
hsiang-yuan.lin@camh.ca

The Toronto Dementia Research Alliance is hosting a free, in-person education event for people living with or at risk of developing dementia, and all those interested in brain health.
Thu, 2 May 2024 at 10:00 AM | Tickets

Register Here

Survey
Improving Online Health Resources

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities:
How do you use the internet for health information?

Everyone has a right to easy-to-understand information about health. The Developmental Disabilities Primary Care Program of Surrey Place, Special Olympics Ontario, and Bethesda Services are sharing a survey for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to explore a new way of online information sharing called “Steffi explains it clearly”. Learn more about about Steffi. You do not have to be a Special Olympics athlete to fill out the survey; all adults with IDD can participate. Download the flyer.

Fill Out the Survey Here

Self-Advocate Spotlight
Promoting Mental Health Literacy

Mirella B., self-advocate advisor with the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, joined Dr. David Goldbloom to help promote the CAMH and YouTube Health Partnership to Promote Mental Health Literacy in Canada.  This collaboration aims to address the lack of local, reliable information on various mental health topics by creating a library of content in both English and French. 

Research Study
Nabilone Clinical Trial

Now open to adults with IDD 18+
This study aims to improve the well-being of adults with developmental disabilities and distressing behaviours through the use of Nabilone medication.

Recruiting adults 18 years of age or older, with a developmental disability and difficulty managing anxiety or frustration. Other eligibility criteria apply. To determine full eligibility, contact the study team.
 

For more information and to enroll: 
Phone: 416-535-8501 ext. 32817
Email: n-and@camh.ca or
hsiang-yuan.lin@camh.ca

Publications
Recent Publications from the H-CARDD Team

Evaluation of a co-designed Health Check-in for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and family caregivers to support pandemic recovery by Lunsky, Y. et al. in British Journal of Learning Disabilities.

This study explored the Health Check-in Tool as part of a virtual health education program to enhance proactive healthcare for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Findings show that 44% of adults with IDD and family caregivers engaged in the Health Check-in process, identifying many benefits alongside several barriers to initiating a Check-in and using the Check-in Tool. The study highlights the importance of integrating such tools into routine healthcare practices and involving individuals with lived experience in resource development for improved healthcare delivery.

Download the Easy Read version of the paper

Watch a video with Dr. Yona Lunsky and self-advocate advisors, Marissa Blake and Victor Pereira, as they talk about the Health Check-in Tool and making doctor visits better for people with developmental disabilities. 

The power of partnerships to identify and address mental health concerns experienced by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by Lunsky, Y. et al. in American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

This article discusses research endeavours on mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Ontario, Canada, both before and during the pandemic. The authors acknowledge the notable research gaps in understanding and addressing the mental health challenges of adults with IDD and their families. The article highlights the benefits of collaborative partnerships with individuals with IDD, family caregivers, service providers, and policymakers, providing key insights learned during the pandemic regarding the importance of cultivating such partnerships.

Webinar
START National Online Training Series

Check out the latest webinar from the H-CARDD team, presented as part of the START National Online Training Series! Learn more about our collaborative efforts in developing healthcare communication tools and enhancing engagement for people who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health issues. 

View the webinar (Password: Start1)

Visit the National Center for START Services ® website for more information on this and many other training opportunities.  Please contact the training department with any questions or requests: ncss.training.iod@unh.edu.

Interested in participating in a research study? Looking for information or developmental disability-related resources? 

Visit our Events and Research Studies Webpage for details about the research projects and programming being offered at the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre. 

Visit our Autism & Mental Health Webpage for Autism-related information, webinar recordings, and mindfulness resources.

For information and resources on COVID-19 or the COVID-19 vaccine, visit our COVID-19 resource page.                           

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