About

Michelle S. Ballan, PhD, MSW, is a Professor and Associate Dean for Research at the School of Social Welfare at Stony Brook University. She also serves as a Professor of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine, a Faculty Affiliate at the Institute for Advanced Computational Science Program, and the Program and Center Director for Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND). Additionally, she is the Research Director at the Early Childhood Clinic at Stony Brook Medicine. Her educational background includes a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, an MSW from Rutgers University, and a BA from Rutgers University. Her areas of interest include intellectual and developmental disabilities, with research and practice focuses on intimate partner violence, medical education, bioethics, reproductive justice, sexuality, and clinical practice. Dr. Ballan's work emphasizes understanding and addressing issues faced by individuals with disabilities, particularly in contexts of violence and healthcare. She has contributed extensively to the field through her research, publications, and leadership roles, advancing knowledge on effective interventions, clinical assessment methods, and the intersection of disability and social issues.

Research topics

• Environmental health
• Medicine
• Clinical psychology
• Social Science
• Family medicine
• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Pathology

Selected publications

• The disability squeeze: Out-of-pocket expenses and unmet needs for disability-related goods and services in the U.S.

  Disability and health journal · 2025-07-19 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Few studies have quantified the higher cost of living with a disability and the extent of unmet needs for disability-related goods and services as experienced by adults with disabilities in the U.S. OBJECTIVE: To provide national estimates of total annual out-of-pocket disability-related expenditures, their burden, and the prevalence of unmet needs, and to investigate whether persons with disabilities from underserved communities experience disparate impacts from "the disability squeeze." METHODS: We designed and fielded a survey in June of 2023 to a nationally representative sample of adults with disabilities through the Understanding America Study, an online panel survey. Multivariate regression analyses examine correlates with out-of-pocket expenditures, the financial burden of the expenditures, and unmet needs. RESULTS: Among 1168 working-age adults with disabilities, mean annual expenditures on disability-related goods and services was $5341 in June 2023, equating to 20 % of household income. Additionally, 67 % of adults with disabilities reported an unmet need. Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, adults with disabilities with incomes below the federal poverty level reported significantly lower expenditures (p < .05) but greater financial burden from their out-of-pocket expenses (p < .05). Hispanic persons with disabilities also reported significantly lower expenditures (p < .05) but higher rates of unmet need (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Adults with disabilities in the U.S. experience considerable financial strain from their disability-related expenses and sustain high rates of unmet needs with disproportionate impacts identified for those from underserved communities.

  PublisherDOI

• Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder

  2024-03-21 · 2 citations

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract This chapter begins with an introduction to autism spectrum disorder. It reviews recent research and empirically supported treatments for autism spectrum disorder interventions in schools. Special attention is paid to specifically supported school-based interventions for children and adolescents. Specific examples include applied behavioral analysis, joint attention intervention, and modeling. These interventions are illustrated through a case example. This chapter promotes social justice for autistic and other neurodivergent individuals. This includes, but is not limited to, implementing trauma-informed practices and culturally responsive lessons that center respect for the wants and needs of neurodivergent individuals and the community at large.

  PublisherDOI

• The Disability Squeeze: Out-of-Pocket Expenses and Unmet Needs for Disability-Related Goods and Services in the U.S

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2024-01-01

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Not my ventilator: How conceptual frameworks of disability and the absence of the disabled voice have shaped healthcare policies in the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

  Global Social Policy · 2022-12-23 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Supporting the Housing Needs of Domestic Violence Shelter Residents: Considerations for Survivors With and Without Disabilities

  Housing Policy Debate · 2022-09-28 · 2 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding

  Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) often must contend with the loss of stable housing when attempting to escape an abusive relationship. IPV survivors with disabilities face additional barriers, as they may struggle to find housing that is accessible and meets their disability-related needs. This study explores housing-related, financial, and demographic factors potentially affecting the long-term housing prospects of IPV survivors (n = 456) with and without disabilities residing in an emergency domestic violence shelter. Records covering a 6-year service period were assessed. Results indicate possible financial, vocational, and educational barriers that could impede IPV survivors from securing stable, permanent housing. Domestic violence shelters can help survivors by addressing these barriers in their operating policies and procedures. Suggestions are provided for giving material and operational support to residents, enabling them to pursue economic independence, extending the length of time allowable for shelter stays, and advocating for accessible housing options for survivors with disabilities.

  PublisherDOI

• Respite Care

  2021-01-01

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Coronavirus and the health care of people with disabilities

  Journal of Research in Medical Sciences · 2021-01-01

  articleOpen access

  Dear Editor, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious and contagious disease derived from a newly discovered coronavirus.[1] According to the reports from the World Health Organization (WHO), most individuals affected with the COVID-19 virus will encounter mild-to-moderate respiratory illness and recover without needing special treatment.[2] To prevent being infected with COVID-19, people with disabilities may face various challenges to gain and apply health information provided by mass media outlets. For example, people with hearing loss need to be taught through sign language techniques properly, and individuals with vision loss may encounter problems to learn correct methods of handwashing or disinfecting their assistive devices with cautionary measures for using abrasive chemical solutions. People with disabilities are one of the most vulnerable groups in need of attention by policy makers and researchers. Identifying the particular health needs of this population can be a vital step to prevent new cases. In addition, health systems may experience problems responding to the special needs of people with disabilities. Many of these problems are probably unknown to some health professionals who face barriers to communication with this population.[3] Thus, families can play a crucial role in sharing special health-care needs of people with disabilities. In this phase, social networks can be the cheapest, fastest, and most useful tool to share and train people with disabilities and health professionals.[4] Although the WHO mentioned solidarity between countries and age groups as a key to defeating COVID-19, we think that solidarity between people with and without disabilities should be at the forefront. Studies show that people with disabilities are more likely to have poorer health and greater vulnerability than their counterparts without disabilities;[56] currently, people with disabilities need more support from individuals without disabilities who are experiencing fewer obstacles to access to health care. In addition, many nondisabled staff may provide care without the necessary personal protective equipment such as masks and alcohol-based hand rubs for people with disabilities living in society. Health systems could provide better access to these products for their caregivers and people with disabilities often living in congregate living arrangements. We think that charities and nongovernmental organizations can have an effective performance in the equitable distribution of such products. Overall, in this paper, we would like to provide the following recommendations that address immediate steps to protect people with disabilities against COVID-19: Informing society of the unique struggles experienced by people with disabilities Applying social networks to share and train people with disabilities Utilizing a range of communication channels to train people with disabilities Improving communication skills among health professionals to convey health messages (e.g., effective handwashing, using masks, and disinfection of assistive technologies) for different groups of disabilities such as hearing loss, visual impairment, and intellectual disabilities. Providing practical and feasible guidance for people with different kinds of disabilities, particularly intellectual disabilities and hearing and vision loss Providing necessary personal protective equipment for deprived and vulnerable groups such as people with severe disabilities Respecting for human dignity in providing health care for people with disabilities. In the end, we hope that governments will consider this vulnerable population and make constructive decisions with this population represented to protect people with disabilities against COVID-19. Governments through identifying lower socioeconomic groups and providing special supports can play a significant role in health promotion of people with disabilities during this challenging time. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.

  PublisherDOI

• Intimate Partner Violence, Disability, and Pain: A Retrospective Study

  Journal of Family Violence · 2021-10-05 · 9 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Occupational Functioning among Intimate Partner Violence Survivors with Disabilities: A Retrospective Analysis

  Occupational Therapy In Health Care · 2021-11-02 · 3 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding

  Individuals with disabilities are disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence and face resultant compromised occupational functioning. Yet limited research exists regarding how occupational therapy practitioners can assist this population. This retrospective, cross-sectional study aims to facilitate better understanding of the relationship between intimate partner violence and occupational functioning among survivors with disabilities. Domestic violence shelter resident records covering a six-year service period were reviewed, assessing relationships between several measures of functioning and sample demographics, disability diagnosis, and participant abuse histories. Findings suggest that there may be a relationship between occupational functioning, disability type, and types of intimate partner violence sustained.

  PublisherDOI

• Sexual health concerns in women with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review in qualitative studies

  BMC Public Health · 2021 · 44 citations

  • Social Science
  • Medicine
  • Family medicine

  BACKGROUND: Studies indicate that women with intellectual disabilities (ID) face various personal and socio-environmental barriers in their sexual lives. This study aimed to identify the concerns and sexual health needs experienced by women with ID. METHOD: A systematic review of relevant qualitative articles was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science Scopus and PsycINFO databases from June 2018 to August 2018. We designed our search strategy according to two main foci: (1) sexuality; and (2) women with ID. In the study, searches were limited to articles published from January 2000 to December 2017. In this review, studies on women ages 16 and over were included. RESULTS: Within the four databases, the search found 274 unique articles. After three steps of screening (title, abstract and full text), 22 studies were included in the final review. The articles mentioned difficulties with lack of sexual experience, negative experiences with sexuality, negative attitudes towards sexuality by nondisabled individuals, limited cognitive capacities to understand sexual identity, difficulty with finding the right partner, lack of access to sexual health information, lack of school-based sexuality education, violence and sexual abuse, lack of support from families and caregivers about sexuality, fear of sexual acts and unwanted pregnancy, shyness in expressing sexual desires, and limited knowledge of sexual behaviors. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that women with ID need to be provided with school-based sexuality education tailored to the level of understanding needed to attain the requisite knowledge to form relationships, understand sexual and romantic relationships, and practice safe sex when they choose this option. Families along with education and healthcare systems should provide opportunities for women with ID to talk about their sexual needs and make their own choices.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Fred R. Volkmar

  Yale University

  855 shared

• Maura Moyle

  Marquette University

  240 shared

• Nurit Yirmiya

  Hebrew University of Jerusalem

  236 shared

• Ariella Riva Ritvo

  Yale University

  234 shared

• Katherine Tsatsanis

  234 shared

• Megan Lyons

  National Comprehensive Cancer Network

  232 shared

• Karen Meers

  Southern Connecticut State University

  127 shared

• Jeremy Parr

  Newcastle University

  127 shared

Awards & honors

• 2024 National Crime Victims’ Service Award Building Knowledg…
• 2024 Loreen Arbus Champion for Disability Award, 21 Leaders…
• 2022 Distinguished Scholar and Fellow, National Academies of…
• 2020 Wiki Disability Scholar, WITH Foundation
• 2020 Switzer Distinguished Level Research Fellowship, Nation…