What is and isn’t working: Factors involved in sustaining community-based health and participation initiatives for people aging with intellectual and developmental disabilities (2019)
Journal Article
Spassiani, N., Meisner, B., Abou Chacra, M. S., Heller, T., & Hammel, J. (2019). What is and isn’t working: Factors involved in sustaining community-based health and participation initiatives for people aging with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 32(6), 1465-1477. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12640

As people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) age it is important that I/DD agencies are prepared to support healthy aging in homes and in communities. This study explored supports and barriers to sustaining community-based health... Read More about What is and isn’t working: Factors involved in sustaining community-based health and participation initiatives for people aging with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Community Based Dietician Services for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (2018)
Journal Article
Friedman, C., & Spassiani, N. (2018). Community Based Dietician Services for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 15(4), 343-349. https://doi.org/10.1111/jppi.12253

Background. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience significantly poorer health outcomes and a shorter life expectancy when compared to the general population. People with IDD are also more likely to become over weigh... Read More about Community Based Dietician Services for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Likes, dislikes, supports and barriers: the experience of students with disabilities in university in Ireland (2017)
Journal Article
Spassiani, N. A., Ó Murchadha, N., Clince, M., Biddulph, K., Conradie, P., Costello, F., Cox, L., Daly, E., Daly, O., Middleton, C., McCabe, K., Philips, M., Soraghan, S., & Tully, K. (2017). Likes, dislikes, supports and barriers: the experience of students with disabilities in university in Ireland. Disability and Society, 32(6), 892-912. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2017.1320272

There are more students with disabilities going to college than ever before. It is important that colleges understand the experiences of students with disabilities when in university. This research project was carried out by 12 students with intellec... Read More about Likes, dislikes, supports and barriers: the experience of students with disabilities in university in Ireland.

Getting Out There: Community Support Services for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Medicaid HCBS Waivers (2017)
Journal Article
Friedman, C., & Spassiani, N. A. (2017). Getting Out There: Community Support Services for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Medicaid HCBS Waivers. Inclusion, 5(1), 33-44. https://doi.org/10.1352/2326-6988-5.1.33

Despite an increased number of community-based services, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) continue to struggle with meaningful community participation and often feel they are not valued community members. This study exami... Read More about Getting Out There: Community Support Services for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Medicaid HCBS Waivers.

Evaluating the Implementation of Health Checks for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Primary Care: The Importance of Organizational Context (2016)
Journal Article
Durbin, J., Selick, A., Casson, I., Green, L., Spassiani, N., Perry, A., & Lunsky, Y. (2016). Evaluating the Implementation of Health Checks for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Primary Care: The Importance of Organizational Context. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 54(2), 136-150. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-54.2.136

Compared to other adults, those with intellectual and developmental disabilities have more health issues, yet are less likely to receive preventative care. One strategy that has shown success in increasing prevention activities and early detection of... Read More about Evaluating the Implementation of Health Checks for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Primary Care: The Importance of Organizational Context.

Exploring How Knowledge Translation Can Improve Sustainability of Community-based Health Initiatives for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (2015)
Journal Article
Spassiani, N. A., Parker Harris, S., & Hammel, J. (2016). Exploring How Knowledge Translation Can Improve Sustainability of Community-based Health Initiatives for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 29(5), 433-444. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12202

Community-based health initiatives (CBHI) play an
important role in maintaining the health, function and
participation of people with intellectual/developmental
disabilities (I/DD) living in the community. However,
implementation and long-term su... Read More about Exploring How Knowledge Translation Can Improve Sustainability of Community-based Health Initiatives for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities.

Stigma: Barriers to Culture and Identity for People With Intellectual Disability (2014)
Journal Article
Spassiani, N. A., & Friedman, C. (2014). Stigma: Barriers to Culture and Identity for People With Intellectual Disability. Inclusion, 2(4), 329-341. https://doi.org/10.1352/2326-6988-2.4.329

This exploratory article examines disability culture and identity for people with intellectual disability. In doing so, we argue that the stigma around intellectual disability severely affects people with intellectual disability's sense of culture an... Read More about Stigma: Barriers to Culture and Identity for People With Intellectual Disability.

Understanding Youths’ Experiences in a Holistic Weight Management Program (2012)
Journal Article
Spassiani, N. A., Jeffery-Tosoni, S., Fraser-Thomas, J., & Kuk, J. (2012). Understanding Youths’ Experiences in a Holistic Weight Management Program. Journal of youth development, 7(2), 19-26. https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2012.137

Given elevated levels of overweight/obesity among today’s youth (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008), and associated negative physical, emotional, and psychological consequences (e.g., Faith, et al., 1997; Must & Anderson, 2003), weight... Read More about Understanding Youths’ Experiences in a Holistic Weight Management Program.

Gatekeepers of Gerontological Research: A Pilot Study Investigating Factors Influencing Research Compliance (2012)
Journal Article
Bailey, K. A., Baker, J., Spassiani, N. A., & Meisner, B. A. (2012). Gatekeepers of Gerontological Research: A Pilot Study Investigating Factors Influencing Research Compliance. Research on Aging, 34(5), 499-506. https://doi.org/10.1177/0164027512444290

Gerontological studies note research noncompliance as a limitation of their results; however, few investigations focus on ways to minimize noncompliance.
Additionally, older adults’ research participation is often controlled by
other individuals su... Read More about Gatekeepers of Gerontological Research: A Pilot Study Investigating Factors Influencing Research Compliance.