About the IDD Division
The Prevention Research Center’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Division (IDD-PRC) supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families through transformative research and innovative programs that promote well-being for people with IDD throughout their lifespan.
Explore what it means to support the PRC’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Division.
Our Philosophy
By partnering with a range of IDD advocacy organizations throughout the Rocky Mountain region, the IDD-PRC uses community-based participatory research approaches to guide the development of innovative educational and intervention programs for people with IDD, including parent-mediated interventions for young children and inclusive post-secondary education opportunities for young adults throughout the region. Ongoing partnerships with local organizations, including the Northern Colorado Down Syndrome Association, and national advocacy groups, such as the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, have led to fruitful knowledge co-creation, program development, and legislative advocacy for increased federal funding for research on conditions associated with IDD.
Dr. Deborah Fidler (IDD-PRC Director) joined the Global Down Syndrome Foundation delegation in Washington, D.C. to attend Congressional Health Subcommittee Hearings and meet with members of Congress to advocate for the passing of HR7268 “The DeOndra Dixon NIH INCLUDE Project Act of 2024” alongside Global CEO, Michelle Whitten. Dr. Fidler joined the delegation to represent the clinical research community in this important legislative effort. These reciprocal, engaged partnerships exemplify the mission, values, and organizational structure of the university by promoting the land-grant mission of fostering the accessibility and application of university knowledge for IDD communities throughout Colorado via engaged research and educational experiences for people with IDD.
Flagship Programs
These programs aim to support quality of life and well-being for individuals with IDD. The programs have been funded by a Larimer County Workforce Innovation grant, the Jerome Lejeune Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health, and Colorado House Bill HB22-1107.
Publications and Presentations
Peer-Reviewed Research
Fidler, D. J., Riggs, N. R., Esbensen, A. J., Jackson-Cook, C., Rosser, T., & Cohen, A. (2022). Outreach and engagement efforts in research on Down syndrome: An NIH INCLUDE Working Group consensus statement. In International Review of Research in Developmental Disabilities (Vol. 63, pp. 247-267). Academic Press.
Fidler, D.J., Hepburn, S., Daunhauer, L., Van Deusen, K., Pinks, M., Walsh, M., Riggs, N., & Graham, J. (2022). Career and Technical Education opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. International Review of Research in Developmental Disabilities, 63, 103-129.
Riggs, N., Hepburn, S., Pinks, M., & Fidler, D.J. (2022). A Prevention Science approach to promoting health and Quality of Life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Infant and Child Development.
Riggs, N., Rigles, B., Schworer, E., & Fidler, D.J. (2020). Community Based Participatory Research in neurogenetic syndromes. International Review of Research on Developmental Disabilities, 58, 157-186.
Walsh, M., Pinks, M., Van Deusen, K., Riggs, N.R., Ceci, B., Lanfranchi, S., & Fidler, D.J. (under review). Parent perceptions of at-home intervention for preschoolers with Down syndrome.
Community Presentations
Van Deusen, K., & Clark, N. (2024, January 26). Neurodiverse learners in the classroom. Three- hour workshop for Agriculture Instructors across the state. Colorado Ag Teachers Association Mid-Winter Conference. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
Fidler, D.J. (2023). Ram Scholars: Inclusive Careers Skills Education at Colorado State University. Invited presentation to the Arc of Larimer County Annual Meeting. Fort Collins, April.
Lanfranchi, S., Walsh, M., Marcolin, C., Pinks, M., Ceci, B., Van Deusen, K., Colaianni, S., Riggs, N., Onnivello, S., Hepburn, S., Pulina, F., Daunhauer, L., Fidler, D.J. (2023). Potenziare le Funzioni Esecutive in bambini di età prescolare con sindrome di Down. Presentazione orale, XXXI Congresso Nazionale Airipa, Foggia.
Lanfranchi, S., Walsh, M., Marcolin, C., Pinks, M., Ceci, B., Van Deusen, K., Colaianni, C., Riggs, N., Onnivello, S., Hepburn, S., Pulina, F., Daunhauer, L., & Fidler, D. J. (2023). New possibilities to improve executive function in Down syndrome: the EXPO project. Down Syndrome Research Forum (online).
Colaianni, S., Walsh, M., Marcolin, C., Pinks, M., Ceci, B., Van Deusen, K., Riggs, N., Onnivello, S., Hepburn, S., Pulina, F., Daunhauer, L., Rossi, E., Fidler, D.J., Lanfranchi, S. (2023). Il progetto EXPO per la sindrome di Down: uno studio pilota. VII Convegno Nazionale Sindrome di Down dalla Ricerca alla Terapia (online).
Colaianni, S., Walsh, M., Marcolin, C., Pinks, M., Ceci, B., Van Deusen, K., Riggs, N., Onnivello, S., Hepburn, S., Pulina, F., Daunhauer, L., Rossi, E., Fidler, D.J., Lanfranchi, S. (2023). Intervento precoce sulle funzioni esecutive in prescolari con sindrome di Down. Risorse educative per l’inclusione a scuola – Problematiche psicopedagogiche e insegnanti di sostegno (online).
Riggs, N. R., Pinks, M. E., Walsh, M. M., Van Deusen K., Hepburn, S. L., Daunhauer, L. A., Looney, S., Pulina, F., Onnivello, S., Marcolin, C., Colaianni, S., Ceci, B., Lanfranchi, S., & Fidler, D. J. (2023, May 30-June 2). M. E. Pinks (organizer) & N. R. Riggs (discussant), An innovative parent-mediated intervention design for promoting executive function in young children with Down syndrome [Symposium]. Society for Prevention Research 31st Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
Van Deusen K., Riggs, N. R., Pinks, M. E., Walsh, M. M., Hepburn, S. L., Daunhauer, L. A., Looney, S., Pulina, F., Onnivello, S., Marcolin, C., Colaianni, S., Ceci, B., Lanfranchi, S., & Fidler, D.J. (2023, May 30-June 2). Using a behavioral phenotype framework to develop an executive function intervention for children with Down syndrome. In M. E. Pinks (organizer) & N. R. Riggs (discussant), An innovative parent-mediated intervention design for promoting executive function in young children with Down syndrome [Symposium]. Society for Prevention Research 31st Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
Walsh, M. M., Riggs, N. R., Pinks, M. E., Van Deusen K., Hepburn, S. L., Daunhauer, L. A., Looney, S., Pulina, F., Onnivello, S., Marcolin, C., Colaianni, S., Ceci, B., Lanfranchi, S., Fidler, D.J. (2023, May 30-June 2). Community involvement in intervention development through focus groups and formative evaluation. In M. E. Pinks (organizer) & N. R. Riggs (discussant), An innovative parent-mediated intervention design for promoting executive function in young children with Down syndrome [Symposium]. Society for Prevention Research 31st Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
Pinks, M. E., Riggs, N. R., Walsh, M. M., Van Deusen K., Hepburn, S. L., Daunhauer, L. A., Looney, S., Pulina, F., Onnivello, S., Marcolin, C., Colaianni, S., Ceci, B., Lanfranchi, S., & Fidler, D. J. (2023, May 30-June 2). Pilot implementation and evaluation of a novel parent-mediated intervention for preschoolers with Down syndrome. In M. E. Pinks (organizer) & N. R. Riggs (discussant), An innovative parent-mediated intervention design for promoting executive function in young children with Down syndrome [Symposium]. Society for Prevention Research 31st Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
Pinks, M.E., Van Deusen, K., Fidler, D., Riggs, N.R., & Rigles, B. (2021, February). Developing a Framework for CBPR Outreach in Neurogenetic Syndrome Populations. Poster accepted to be presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Intervention Science Preconference, Austin, TX.