Belonging and Resilience in Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

This book examines belonging as a key protective factor for enhancing resilience for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. It focuses on understanding intellectual and developmental disabilities and resilience from systemic and social-ecological perspectives, emphasizing the roles of professionals, families, and communities in combating long-standing segregation and health disparities experienced by individuals and families. The volume explores the dimensions of belonging across diverse professional fields using a person-centered approach that acknowledges the significant lifelong role of family members and emphasizes reflective practice for professionals. Chapters present research and innovative strategies to facilitate belonging when working alongside individuals and families.

Jennifer Jones, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science and Co-Director of the Institute for Developmental Disabilities at Oklahoma State University. All of Dr. Jones's endeavors are built on the core belief that disability is a natural part of human diversity and everyone benefits from inclusion. Her work in communities and in academia during the past 20 years have focused on improving the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Like many, Dr. Jones's passion and beliefs are deeply personal as a mother of a son with intellectual disability. Dr. Jones is grateful for the places of welcome and belonging she and her family have experienced and strives to create environments where people with and without disabilities can flourish together.

Kami L. Gallus, Ph.D., LMFT, is an Associate Professor in Human Development and Family Science and Co-Director of the Institute for Developmental Disabilities at Oklahoma State University. Her scholarship focuses on enhancing individual functioning, belonging, and relationship outcomes among vulnerable, often marginalized, and traditionally underserved populations, including female trauma survivors, at-risk youth, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In contrast to a deficit model, which views vulnerability as a fixed internal trait, Dr. Gallus's scholarship conceptualizes vulnerability from a social ecological model, thereby resulting from the person-environment fit. Ultimately, her systemic approach to applied research and clinical work focuses not on fixing or curing the individual, but on changing the understanding of the individual across contexts to provide supports that enhance the quality of life for all.