Developmental and intellectual disability

Nathan J. Wilson, David Charnock

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperChapter

Abstract

![CDATA[People with intellectual and developmental disability share more in common with their fellow citizens than they have differences. Notwithstanding these commonalities however, people with intellectual and developmental disability often need care and support with some aspects of, or at certain times in, their lives. Despite the closure of many segregated settings (e.g. residential institutions) over recent decades, even in a modern and wealthy nation such as Australia, people with all types of disabilities, and particularly intellectual and developmental disability, still experience significant disadvantage compared with their non-disabled peers (Emerson, Honey & Llewellyn 2013). For people with intellectual and developmental disability, this disadvantage is particularly stark when it concerns their health and wellbeing. The specialist area of intellectual and developmental disability has always been and remains a multidisciplinary field where the role of the nurse has been central historically and should remain so into the future. Grounded in Article 25 of the principles of the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006), this chapter introduces readers to this area of practice with a focus on the specific health issues facing people with intellectual and developmental disability. In addition, it provides a summary of contemporary issues on health promotion, health screening and the role of the healthcare professional in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disability. The UN Convention which promotes human rights and freedoms for all in relation to health promotion and the prevention of illness states: Provide persons with disabilities with the same range, quality and standard of free or affordable health care and programmes as provided to other persons ... provide those health services needed by persons with disabilities specifically because of their disabilities, including early identification and intervention as appropriate ... provide these health services as close as possible to people's own communities, including in rural areas ... require health professionals to provide care of the same quality to persons with disabilities as to others (p. 18).]]
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLiving with Chronic Illness and Disability: Principles for Nursing Practice
EditorsEsther Chang, Amanda Johnson
Place of PublicationChatswood, N.S.W.
PublisherElsevier
Pages129-145
Number of pages17
Edition3rd
ISBN (Electronic)9780729586245
ISBN (Print)9780729542616
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • developmentally disabled
  • people with mental disabilities
  • medical care
  • nursing

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