Intellectual disability is a disability characterised by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills. This disability originates before the age of 18.

A child with ID is best cared for by a multidisciplinary team consisting of the primary care doctor; social workers; speech, occupational, and physiotherapists; neurologists or developmental pediatricians; psychologists; nutritionists; educators; and others. Together with the family, these people develop a comprehensive, individualized program for the child, which is begun as soon as the diagnosis of MR/ID is suspected. The parents and siblings of the child also need emotional support and sometimes counseling. The whole family should be an integral part of the program.
 

Useful Resources

Disabled Access

Carers Australia or 1800 242 636

Related Forums

Autism Spectrum Australia 

NeuroTalk Communities (Non AU) 

Brain Talk (Non AU)