My Research
My work focuses on the intersection of aging and disability, specifically among those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Individuals with lifelong disabilities live longer than ever before. Projections indicate that the number of older adults with IDD will increase to two to three times the current numbers in the next fifteen years. Several biological, social and societal factors predispose this population to health problems later in life. My work promotes the development of effective supports and policies for this population.
I bridge aging and disability theories and methods to further our understanding of aging with disability. To acknowledge the cumulative effects of early and mid-life experiences on long-term development and well-being, I apply a life course perspective to the experience of aging with disability, with particular attention on the impact of major life course transitions on adults with disabilities. My work reflects the Disability Studies perspective, viewing different ways of being in the world as potential sources of creativity, happiness and wisdom.
I am a mixed-methods researcher and apply inclusive research methods to enable participation in my research of people who are aging with disabilities. For example, past research projects have included methods as diverse as the use of surveys, interviews and photo voice.
My doctoral dissertation explored how social relations of older adults with IDD develop and change over time and how they experienced them. I applied the gerontological social convoy model to adults with disabilities. I conducted multiple in-depth qualitative interviews with
12 older adults with IDD and/or their key support persons, developing and implementing an inclusive life history research method that enabled me to retrieve the experiences of older adults with IDD. The study demonstrated how the social convoys of my subjects impacted them in both positive and negative ways over their lives. My study’s findings indicated that supporting older adults with IDD in coping with age-associated losses needs precedence in support practices.
I bridge aging and disability theories and methods to further our understanding of aging with disability. To acknowledge the cumulative effects of early and mid-life experiences on long-term development and well-being, I apply a life course perspective to the experience of aging with disability, with particular attention on the impact of major life course transitions on adults with disabilities. My work reflects the Disability Studies perspective, viewing different ways of being in the world as potential sources of creativity, happiness and wisdom.
I am a mixed-methods researcher and apply inclusive research methods to enable participation in my research of people who are aging with disabilities. For example, past research projects have included methods as diverse as the use of surveys, interviews and photo voice.
My doctoral dissertation explored how social relations of older adults with IDD develop and change over time and how they experienced them. I applied the gerontological social convoy model to adults with disabilities. I conducted multiple in-depth qualitative interviews with
12 older adults with IDD and/or their key support persons, developing and implementing an inclusive life history research method that enabled me to retrieve the experiences of older adults with IDD. The study demonstrated how the social convoys of my subjects impacted them in both positive and negative ways over their lives. My study’s findings indicated that supporting older adults with IDD in coping with age-associated losses needs precedence in support practices.
Below you can find a selection of my publications:
Peer-reviewed publications
van Heumen, L., & Koneczny, N. (2019). Flexibility and Accessibility: Promoting Inclusive Teaching Strategies in a Large Enrollment Disability Studies College Course. Journal of Teaching Disability Studies, 1.
van Heumen, L., & Schippers, A. (2016). Quality of Life for Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Following Individualized Support: Individual and Family Responses. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 41(4), 1-13. doi:10.3109/13668250.2016.1213797.
Schippers, A. & van Heumen, L. (2014). The inclusive city through the lens of quality of life. International Public Health Journal, 6(4), 311-322.
Heller, T., Arnold, C.K., van Heumen, L., Mcbride, E., & Factor, A. (2012). Consumer-Directed Support: Impact of Hiring Practices on Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Families. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 117(6), 464-477.
Book chapters
Schippers, A. & van Heumen, L. (2014). The Inclusive City through the lens of Quality of Life. In R. I. Brown & R. Faragher (Eds.). Challenges for Quality of Life: Applications in Education and other Social Contexts.
Heller, T. & van Heumen, L. (2013). Disability and aging. In M. Wehmeyer (Ed.) Oxford handbook of positive psychology and disability. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press.
Parker, S., Heller, T., Schindler, A., & van Heumen, L. (2012). Problems, Controversies and Solutions. In S. Parker & T. Heller (Eds.). Disability through the Lifecourse. Volume 1 for Sage Reference Series on Disability. Sage Publications.
van Heumen, L. (2012). Challenging the way we think about dementia. In Zie meer Kijk anders. Tien jonge wetenschappers over disability studies. Utrecht: ZonMw.
Other publications
van Heumen, L. (2013). What Does Growing Older Mean? In T. Heller& A. Factor (Eds.) Self-Determination in Aging. Research to Practice in Self-Determination Series, 5, 8. Kansas City, MO: National Training Initiative on Self-Determination & Association of University Centers on Disabilities.
Peer-reviewed publications
van Heumen, L., & Koneczny, N. (2019). Flexibility and Accessibility: Promoting Inclusive Teaching Strategies in a Large Enrollment Disability Studies College Course. Journal of Teaching Disability Studies, 1.
van Heumen, L., & Schippers, A. (2016). Quality of Life for Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Following Individualized Support: Individual and Family Responses. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 41(4), 1-13. doi:10.3109/13668250.2016.1213797.
Schippers, A. & van Heumen, L. (2014). The inclusive city through the lens of quality of life. International Public Health Journal, 6(4), 311-322.
Heller, T., Arnold, C.K., van Heumen, L., Mcbride, E., & Factor, A. (2012). Consumer-Directed Support: Impact of Hiring Practices on Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Families. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 117(6), 464-477.
Book chapters
Schippers, A. & van Heumen, L. (2014). The Inclusive City through the lens of Quality of Life. In R. I. Brown & R. Faragher (Eds.). Challenges for Quality of Life: Applications in Education and other Social Contexts.
Heller, T. & van Heumen, L. (2013). Disability and aging. In M. Wehmeyer (Ed.) Oxford handbook of positive psychology and disability. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press.
Parker, S., Heller, T., Schindler, A., & van Heumen, L. (2012). Problems, Controversies and Solutions. In S. Parker & T. Heller (Eds.). Disability through the Lifecourse. Volume 1 for Sage Reference Series on Disability. Sage Publications.
van Heumen, L. (2012). Challenging the way we think about dementia. In Zie meer Kijk anders. Tien jonge wetenschappers over disability studies. Utrecht: ZonMw.
Other publications
van Heumen, L. (2013). What Does Growing Older Mean? In T. Heller& A. Factor (Eds.) Self-Determination in Aging. Research to Practice in Self-Determination Series, 5, 8. Kansas City, MO: National Training Initiative on Self-Determination & Association of University Centers on Disabilities.
