Anti-Ri-related Possible Autoimmune Encephalitis may Cause Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Pediatric Patients: A Case Report

Objective: To describe two rare pediatric cases in which anti-Ri autoantibody-positive (Type II anti-neuronal nuclear antibody; ANNA-2-positive) autoimmune encephalitis occurred with intellectual and development disabilities.. Case presentation: We presented the clinical manifestations, etiological evaluation, and intellectual assessment of two ANNA-2-positive children and the clinical improvement after empirical immunotherapy. A 2-year-old girl with hyperactivity, agitation, and hand tremors and a 6-month-old boy who had dystonia were both diagnosed with intellectual and development disability. Both children tested positive for ANNA-2 and the serological inflammatory markers. Considering possible Ri antibody associated autoimmune encephalitis, empirical immunotherapy was done for both patients, intellectual disability of them improved to some extent. Conclusions: Although ANNA-2 has been mostly reported in adults with paraneoplastic syndrome, we report two ANNA-2-positive pediatric cases diagnosed as possible autoimmune encephalitis due to viral infections. These cases suggested that disruption of the immune system due to viral infection may lead to ANNA-2 positive status and contribute to intellectual and development disability in pediatric cases.

Family Caregiver Assessments: What Have We Learned From Assessments Across Populations and Health Conditions?

This symposium will bring together research on assessments of family caregivers for older individuals with different health conditions and discuss the components of effective assessments. Comprehensive characterizations of caregivers are essential due to an increase in the demand on caregivers, and how intense care contexts contribute to the caregiver’s decline in health and diminished capacity to provide quality care. According to Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 (n=1,400), only 13% of caregivers were asked by healthcare professionals what they needed to take care of themselves. Peer-reviewed studies have reported that caregivers are often reluctant to self-identify and to ask for the help that they need for themselves and those in their care. Since supports to caregivers have historically relied on this self-identification, the first presentation (Grace Whiting) will focus on the work NAC has done to build pathways between caregivers and supportive services to increase availability, accessibility, and patient-centeredness. The second presentation (Esther Friedman) will identify and discuss the barriers to fully incorporating family caregivers into the health care team, as well as the solutions for removing barriers. The next two presentations, respectively, will focus on characterizing the prevalence, burden, and unmet needs of caregivers of cancer patients (Erin Kent), and the unmet needs of families of adults with intellectual and development disabilities (Tamar Heller). The final presentation will explore caregiver readiness in dementia care using the Tailored Activity Program (TAP) and how TAP interventionists can use readiness scores to determine caregiver’s capacity (Katherine Marx).

Awareness on usage of iodized salt and its treatment effect among dental students

Iodised salt is table salt mixed with minute amounts of the element iodine. The ingestion of iodine prevents iodine deficiency. Worldwide, iodine deficiency affects about two billion people and is the leading preventable cause of intellectual and development disabilities. To create awareness among dental students on the iodizied salt and its treatment effect on iodine deficiency. The questionnaire was based on the observational cross-sectional type of study comprising 100 dental students from the Saveetha Dental College. A self-administered questionnaire was given to the students. It was designed to collect data on the use of iodized salt among dental students through an online survey mode containing a set of 10 questions about the use of iodized salt and is a yes or no type. The results were evaluated based on the answers given by the participants. 84% of the dental students use iodised salt, which is more than half but still, the rest of them did not use iodized salt. 26% of dental students have an iodine deficiency. 83% of the students use iodized salt for cooking. 61 % of the students think that iodised salt is healthy. 32%students have answered that sea salt and 7% Himalayan salt is healthy. 65% of the dental students were aware of average salt consumption per day. Majority of the dental students were aware of iodized salt and its treatment effect on iodine deficiency. However, more needs to create on its adverse effects and its role in dietary intake of iodine.

Understanding Local Barriers to Inclusion for Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Through an Employment Conference

Employment is a crucial part of adult life and is associated with improved health outcomes. However, despite the several advantages of hiring individuals with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD), the employment rate for this population is still low. An employment conference was organised to inform participants of successful employment initiatives, and to increase our understanding of local employer challenges regarding the recruitment, hire, and retention of employees with IDD. Descriptive statistics were used to assess common methods of recruitment, potential helpful hiring strategies, and recruitment, hire, and retention challenges, and an ordinal logistic regression was conducted to examine whether responses differed based on demographic variables. The conference was evaluated by gathering data on several facets of participant satisfaction. Findings brought to light several key challenges that can be used to create more targeted interventions and supports. Responses to several questions differed by demographics (such as company size and industry type), which represent important areas for future research to examine. Participants reported being satisfied with the conference, and many indicated that their attitudes had changed towards disability and that they were more likely to employ individuals with IDD in the future. Systematically addressing barriers to employment is essential in order to reduce the employment gap and improve outcomes for individuals with IDD. Ultimately, conferences that aim to educate participants about successful programs and strategies represent a promising practice that can increase employment opportunities for individuals with IDD.

An Emerging Model for Semi-Independent Living for Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Limited housing choices constrain autonomy and the opportunity to reach social potential for persons with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD). This project implemented and evaluated “Friendly Housemates,” a complex social model where persons with IDD shared housing with students. The purpose was to enable persons with IDD to engage in independent living within a secure, supportive environment. A qualitative study using in-depth, longitudinal interviews was conducted with persons with IDD, their student housemates, families and community agency staff; the data were analyzed inductively. Although the households encountered challenges, the results were encouraging and suggest the model has potential as a transitional housing option for people with IDD. Numerous recommendations were generated for policy and practice.

Cardio-kickboxing and dynamic balance in adults with developmental disabilities

This study examined the relationship between cardio-kickboxing and balance in individuals with developmental disabilities (DDs). Cardio-kickboxing is a combination of aerobics, boxing, and martial arts. In general, cardio-kickboxing has shown to improve balance in participants. To our knowledge, this is the first adult cardio-kickboxing program for participants with a DD. Twenty-one adults with development disabilities were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Participants were tested at baseline, week four, and postintervention using the Four Square Step Test. Improvements were shown in balance (p < 0.0125) at postintervention testing. Results indicate that cardio-kickboxing may be a promising intervention to improve balance for individuals with DDs.