Preventive health and screening

People with developmental disability are unlikely to present themselves for review and management of disease risk factors, and tend to miss out on health screening information and opportunities.

Consider using a disability health assessment template to prompt information gathering; see Comprehensive health assessments. These are specific to people with developmental disability, and help to identify health problems that are often missed or misdiagnosed in this group; see also Commonly missed health problems in people with developmental disability.

Adults with intellectual disability qualify for an annual comprehensive health assessment under Medicare.

Some health problems (eg hearing and vision problems, constipation) occur more commonly in adults with developmental disability; see Common health problems in adults for specific advice on screening and management. Certain developmental disability syndromes and disorders (eg Down syndrome) are associated with specific health problems, and additional screening or anticipatory guidance is important to ensure they are not overlooked. See Syndromes and disorders associated with developmental disability for links to information about specific developmental disability syndromes and disorders.

Preventive health interventions as for the general population apply for adults with developmental disability. To facilitate disease detection and prevention, the general practitioner (or practice nurse) can:

  • record a baseline functional assessment when the adult is in their 30s or early 40s, and review periodically
  • ensure the person, carers or support workers receive information about preventive health activities in a format they can understand
  • ask about oral and dental problems and ensure the adult has 6-monthly dental checks
  • immunise according to the Australian Immunisation Handbook annual influenza vaccination as recommended
    • pneumococcal vaccination is indicated for people with Down syndrome, obesity or chronic disease
    • hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for people with developmental disability and their carers
    • hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for those living in residential facilities or who attend daycare facilities
    • consider meningococcal and herpes zoster vaccination
  • encourage the adult to keep a personal health record, with assistance from carers or support workers as needed
  • do health screening for adults according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice1; for strategies to support people who find examinations difficult, see Physical examination and investigations
  • recommend physical activity; a physiotherapist can develop a physical activity plan suited to the adult’s abilities and interests. Support people and carers should facilitate activity programs. These should be part of the person’s daily routine and documented in their care plan
  • prioritise regular medication reviews
  • ask about changes in mood or behaviour, including sleep and cognitive or functional decline.
1 Recommendations for preventive activities in older age may be appropriate in adults who are experiencing signs of ageing; see also Introduction to ageing in people with developmental disability.Return