Life-stage transitions
Life-stage transitions that can significantly affect the wellbeing of a person with developmental disability include:
- moving from child to adult healthcare providers (see Transition to primary care)
- starting or leaving school or work
- changes in residential environment or level of care (eg family home to group home, change in support person)
- end of life.
People with developmental disability may have difficulty understanding life-stage transitions, and additional support may be needed to minimise distress during these times.
General practitioners (GPs) can support a person with developmental disability during life-stage transitions by:
- pre-empting transitions and ensuring the person and their family and support people have timely access to relevant information and support systems
- liaising with other healthcare providers and providing comprehensive referral information (including the person’s health care, communication and support needs)
- considering referral to a behaviour therapist or psychologist (eg for social skill training or other intervention) to promote coping strategies
- providing links to support groups and social networks that may help to enhance resilience
- providing evidence to update the person’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support plan to accommodate changing needs (see also General practitioner role in supporting access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme).
The GP can support forward planning to ensure the person remains well supported throughout their life; see also Support for carers and family of people with developmental disability. Strategies to support ageing in place for people with developmental disability are discussed here.
For general healthcare advice across the life stages in people with developmental disability, see children, adolescents, adults or people who are ageing.