Published: 2016. Next review: 2026.
This series of videos is designed to help health professionals understand the care needs of a person with intellectual disability.
Intellectual disability and mental health by Dr Bruce Chenoweth
Dr Bruce Chenoweth (Developmental Psychiatrist) speaks about the 60% prevalence of major mental illness and disorders amongst people with intellectual disability over their lifetime. He considers how this affects their functional capacity, presentation to services and their enjoyment of life. He discusses treatment, behaviours and how to support people with intellectual disability and mental health co-morbidity.
Intellectual disability and hospitalisation by Lif O'Connor
Lif O’Connor (Clinical Nurse Consultant) discusses hospitalisation, including:
- supporting the person with intellectual disability in the community and the different roles of health staff they will interact within the health system
- communicating with the person with intellectual disability and their carer
- complex case discussions and the transfer of care (including discharge from hospital)
- transitioning from paediatric to adult health services.
Intellectual disability and respiratory health by Dr Andrew Ng
Dr Andrew Ng (Respiratory and Sleep Physician) speaks about:
- maintaining good respiratory health
- signs of respiratory infection
- causes of aspiration
- treating respiratory problems.
Orientation to caring for a patient with intellectual disability
A carer and a clinician speak of access to health services for people with intellectual disability and family and carers. A carer discusses how she works with health professionals, including general practitioners, to improve access for her adult son.
Resources
- Building capability in NSW health services for people with intellectual disability: the Essentials
Agency for Clinical Innovation
Guide for health services sector staff and other service providers to better understand and meet the complex and multiple health needs of people with an intellectual disability and their carers. - Centre for Developmental Disability Health
Monash University
Resources, advice and clinical expertise for health services. - National Disability Insurance Scheme
National funding scheme for people with disability. - Children, families and carers
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Resources on rights, responsibilities and programs for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. - NSW Ministry of Health: Disability
Services and initiatives to provide specialised health support for people with disability, their carers and clinicians. - United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Promotes, protects and ensures the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities.
Diagnosing patients with intellectual disability
A paediatrician, two general practitioners and a registered nurse (clinical nurse consultant) speak about the difficulties of diagnosis and the common health problems of people with intellectual disability.
Resources
- Australian Guardianship and Administration Council (AGAC)
AGAC aims to protect Australians living with disability that impairs their ability to make decisions. - National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
National funding scheme for people with disability. - NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
The NDIS Commission works with participants and providers to improve the quality and safety of NDIS services and supports. - NSW Ministry of Health: Disability
Services and initiatives to provide specialised health support for people with disability, their carers and clinicians. - People with disability: How to maintain good oral health
NSW Ministry of Health
Videos for carers to show good oral hygiene techniques. - First Peoples Disability Network Australia
This network aims to bring attention to the specific needs of First Peoples with disability and their families. - Therapeutic Guidelines: Disability
Independent, evidence-based, practical treatment advice to assist practitioners. NSW Health staff can access the therapeutic guidelines via CIAP.
Continuity of care in intellectual disability: Jimmy's journey
This video demonstrates an integrated care approach for someone with autism spectrum disorder and chronic and complex health problems. Two general practitioners, a registered nurse (clinical nurse consultant) and a specialist doctor discuss Jimmy.
Resources
- Australian Digital Health Agency
Details of digital health programs and initiatives in Australia, such as My Health record and electronic prescriptions. - Evidence-based guidelines to reduce the need for restrictive practices in the disability sector (PDF).
Australian Psychological Society - Intellectual Disability Mental Health Connect
Information for people with intellectual disability, their supporters, and professionals. - National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
National funding scheme for people with disability. - NSW Ministry of Health: Disability
Services and initiatives to provide specialised health support for people with disability, their carers and clinicians. - Responding to Needs of People with Disability during Hospitalisation.
NSW Ministry of Health - Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability
Accessible health information and resources for people with disability, support people and health professionals. - Speaking of speech.com
Free printable pictures and reward charts. - Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN)
University of NSW
Resources for health professionals, disability workers and carers, which provide information and education on intellectual disability physical and mental health.
Accessing care for a patient with intellectual disability
A consumer of health services for people with intellectual disability, describes: what he likes about his general practitioner the characteristics of a good visit to the general practitioner for himself and his family what he thinks the emergency department and the hospital wards do well for people with intellectual disability.
Resources
- Council for Intellectual Disability: Resources
Information about intellectual disability and easy read material on a range of topics, including health and going to the general practitioner. - Just checking: videos
Family Planning Australia
Videos that explore cervical, breast and bowel screening as experienced by people with intellectual disability. - Intellectual Disability Rights Service
A NSW service for people with intellectual disability to promote and protect their rights. - Centre for Developmental Disability Health: Resources
Monash Health
Strategies for providing good health care to people with an intellectual disability - National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
National funding scheme for people with disability. - NSW Ministry of Health: Disability
Services and initiatives to provide specialised health support for people with disability, their carers and clinicians. - Children with disability
Raising Children Network
Information for parents about babies, children and youth with a disability - Stepping Stones: for parents of a child with a disability
Triple P International
A positive parenting training program to help manage problem behaviour and developmental issues common in children with disability. - Health Literacy Online
US Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
A research-based guide to help develop intuitive health websites and digital tools that can be easily accessed and understood by all users.