Falls prevention in people with developmental disability

Children, adults and older people with developmental disability often have multiple risk factors for falls, including:

  • motor disorder (eg ataxia, spasticity, dyskinesia)
  • sensory impairment (eg vision impairment)
  • cognitive difficulties
  • muscle weakness and sarcopenia
  • use of sedating or antihypertensive drugs
  • epilepsy and seizures.

Falls prevention is important to reduce preventable injuries, especially in people with developmental disability who are ageing. People with developmental disability also have greater morbidity associated with fractures, due to late or missed diagnosis and difficulty participating in rehabilitation. General practitioners should assess people with developmental disability annually for falls risk and risk factors for minimal-trauma fracture.

Refer people at risk of falls to a physiotherapist for gait and balance assessment, and to an occupational therapist for environmental assessment and mobility strategies to improve safety.

For more advice on preventing falls and fractures, see: