Intellectual and Developmental Disability Psychology: A Unique Approach to Graduate Training

1. Intellectual and Developmental Disability Psychology: A Unique Approach to Graduate Training Andrea Witwer, PhD The Ohio State University Nisonger Center; Department of Psychiatry and Psychology Background Curriculum/Program Requirements Graduates Often the psychology of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is concentrated in developmental, clinical, or school psychology graduate programs. There are few designated IDD psychology programs across the United States. The OSU Nisonger Center’s IDD Psychology Doctoral program offer unique scholarly and clinical training in the field of IDD. One of seven doctoral graduate degree program areas of Ohio State University's Department of Psychology, the IDD Psychology Program specializes in training researchers and practitioners to work with people with IDD. IDD Specific Courses Developmental Disabilities: Interdisciplinary Perspective (1st year) Ethics and Professional Issues in Psychology Research Forum Interdisciplinary Seminar on Autism Spectrum Disorders Assessment in IDD Psychopharmacology Behavior Modification Field Experiences A total of 18 credit hours of field work including: Diagnostic Assessment/ Functional Behavioral Assessment Behavioral interventions Social Skills groups LEND trainee LEND interdisciplinary clinics (1st and 2nd years) LEND seminars and courses (throughout coursework) Internship Students will be required to complete 1,500 internship hours in an applied setting serving children or adults with IDD. Masters, Candidacy Examination, Doctoral Dissertation Masters Thesis: completed by beginning of third year Candidacy Examination-written and oral portions Doctoral Dissertation Postdoctoral Fellowships Boston University National Institute of Mental Health Nationwide Children’s Hospital North Carolina Chapel Hill University of Wisconsin Yale University Child Study Center Employment Program Objectives • Equip students to pursue a career in IDD psychology as a researcher, administrator, or in private practice. • Gain knowledge in areas such as causes of developmental disabilities, psychological and physical characteristics of these populations, assessment and diagnosis, and treatment approaches. • Program graduates will have research skills to extend the boundaries and application of this knowledge. By achieving this, they can adapt to the changing needs of professional practice in the field. . Discussion/Challenges Curriculum/Program Requirements • Licensure requirements in various states have changed such that licensure is not guaranteed for our students. We are pursing ASPPB accreditation to address this. • Outreach to LEND/UCEDD network to facilitate varied training and internship opportunities is a necessity. • Collaboration among UCEDD and LEND program can enrich training for graduate students, interns, and postdoctoral fellows. • Website: www.nisonger.osu.edu/iddpsych • Email: Andrea.witwer@osumc.edu Productivity of Graduate Students Activities of graduate students (2005-present) • Numerous presentations at local and national meetings • Over 50 peer reviewed papers during graduate tenure • Grants agencies such as Organization for Autism Research and Ohio Department of Mental Health • University Fellowship recipients Student Awards and Recognition • Academy on Mental Retardation Dissertation Award, American • AAID– Early Career Award • Graduate Associate Teaching Award Doctoral Level Psychology Courses: Statistics Courses Research Methods Psychological Assessment Course Psychobiology Developmental Psychology History and Systems Psychopathology Social Bases of Behavior