2019–2020 Scholarship Recipient
Neurodiversity Allies (NDA)
Rush University · Chicago, Illinois
Interdisciplinary student-led community service initiative with leadership oversight provided by Dr. Molly Bathje, Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy.
Neurodiversity Allies (NDA) is an interdisciplinary, student-led initiative designed to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) while they receive health care services at Rush University Medical Center and to strengthen health professions students' knowledge and experience with people with IDD.
NDA includes students from Rush University's College of Medicine, College of Nursing, and College of Health Sciences. Members volunteer in hospital, ambulatory clinic, and outpatient settings, providing support, socialization, and comfort to patients with IDD.
Scholarship Project
Disability Education Series for Health Professions Students
The project proposed an educational series to address gaps in health professions students' knowledge and familiarity with caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The overall goal was to increase students' knowledge and confidence in providing respectful, patient-centered care for people with disabilities.
Alignment with ADHCE Core Competency 2
The educational series focused on Professionalism and Patient-Centered Care. It addressed assumptions and biases about patients with disabilities while emphasizing professionalism, communication, respect, patient perspectives, and equitable care.
Six-Month Educational Series
Each approximately one-hour session addressed a different aspect of ADHCE Core Competency 2 and incorporated education, discussion, and perspectives from people with lived experience.
- Implicit bias and respectful care. Students examined assumptions and implicit biases and learned strategies for approaching patients with respect and humility.
- Patient perspective. A young adult with Down syndrome discussed their health care experiences with participating students.
- Communication and trust. Students explored strategies for building trusting relationships with patients, parents, and caregivers, including understandable and person-first language.
- Caregiver perspectives. A panel of caregivers shared concrete examples of successful relationships with health care professionals.
- Sensory supports. Students received training on selecting and using sensory items during interactions with patients with IDD.
- Power dynamics and advocacy. The series concluded with discussion of how power dynamics influence care and strategies for providing patient-centered and equitable care.
Building a Community of Allies
Students completing the educational series were intended to leave with greater awareness of their own assumptions, increased understanding of the needs of people with IDD, and greater confidence advocating for equitable care.
Students attending all sessions would receive a pin for their Rush identification badge identifying them as an ally alongside the IDD community.
