Support considerations and resources
Support for people with developmental disability who are being or have been abused requires comprehensive care to address both the cause and effects of that abuse as much as possible. A trauma-informed approach to care can help to ensure safe practice and optimise benefits for the person with developmental disability.
Care includes maximising individual, family, service and community supports, to address the biological, psychological and social impacts of abuse and trauma. Assess for and address physical and mental symptoms with targeted supports and strategies. Some examples include:
- sleep routine and environmental interventions for disturbed sleep
- referral for counselling (eg psychologist, behaviour support practitioner) to promote resilience and empowerment
- educational or skills interventions
- offering training for the person’s colleagues or employers about the effects of abuse and trauma.
- Social and functional support for people with developmental disability
- Support for carers and family of people with developmental disability
- Capacity, consent and decision making for people with developmental disability
- Challenging behaviour in people with developmental disability
- Psychiatric disorders in people with developmental disability (includes advice on anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder)
- Sexuality in people with developmental disability.
[NB1]
Australian Childhood Foundation. Provides support and advocacy for children. [URL]
Blue Knot Foundation, National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma. [URL]
People with Disability Australia (PWDA)—Violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Provides assistance and advocacy. [URL]
WWILD supports people with intellectual disability who have experienced sexual abuse or have been victims of crime (incudes training modules for disability workers and resources for carers and family). [URL]