2. Definition
Developmental disability is an umbrella term for different disabilities
that involve a person having "prescribed significant limitations in
cognitive functioning and adaptive functioning and those limitations,
1. originate before the person reached 18 years of age;
2. are likely to be life-long in nature; and
3. affect areas of major life activity, such as personal care, language
skills or learning disabilities, the capacity to live independently as
an adult or any other prescribed activity.“
(Definition from Ontario's Services and Supports to Promote the
Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008)
4. To remain a professional helper one
needs to ask oneself, what do I
mean by helping?• CASE: A blind man was standing
by a crossing. He seemed a little
agitated and restless. A sighted
women passing by spotted him,
grabbed hold of his arm and while
marching him across the road said
‘Don’t worry dear, I’ll help you to
get to the other side’. As it
happened the blind man was
standing by the road waiting for a
friend who had been delayed,
hence the agitation. He had not
wanted to cross the road. This
situation is an everyday
occurrence for many disabled
people, who in this over care
scenario are viewed and treated
at best as infants and at worst as
objects.
5. Issues faced
by these
Individuals
a) Physical health
issues
b) Mental Health
issues (Dual
Diagnosis)
c) Abuse and
Vulnerability
d) Challenging
Behaviour
6. In Canada, Dual
Diagnosis Usually
Refers To An Individual
With A Mental Illness
And A Co-occurring
Developmental
Disability..
People With
Developmental
Disabilities Are At
Increased Risk For
Developing Mental
Health Problems
Throughout Their Lives.
Psychotic Disorders
Have Been Suggested
To Occur Three Times
More Often In Adults
With Developmental
Disabilities Compared
To The General
Population
Various Biological,
Psychological And
Social Factors Make It
More Likely That A
Person With A
Developmental
Disability Will Develop
A Mental Health
Problem, Compared
With Someone Without
A Dual Diagnosis
Dual
Diagnosis
7. Five principles guide how to care for people
with dual diagnosis
People with dual
diagnosis are people
first, before their
disabilities. They
have strengths in
addition to having
problems.
Mental health
problems in
developmental
disability are under
identified but
common.
Mental health
problems in
developmental
disability are
complex but
understandable.
Mental health
problems in
developmental
disability are
challenging but
respond to care.
Mental health
problems in
developmental
disability require
responses that go
beyond separate
disability and mental
health treatment.
8. Facts to foster awareness
Adults with developmental disabilities have higher rates of morbidity and are more likely to be diagnosed with a
range of chronic disease than other adults.
Nearly one in two adults with developmental disabilities has a mental illness or addiction
Approximately one in five adults with developmental disabilities are prescribed 5 or more medications at
once. Antipsychotics are the most commonly prescribed medication.
Adults with developmental disabilities present frailty issues 30 years younger than adults without
developmental disabilities.
Compared to the general population adults with developmental disabilities are more likely to present
repeatedly to Emergency department and have repeat hospitalizations.
Compared to the general population, adults with developmental disabilities are less likely to
Be screened for breast, colon, & cervical cancer
Receive guideline- recommended inter professional care.
9. Screening for
Developmental DisabilitySlow Response Time
Difficulty Filling Out Forms/Paperwork
Repeat Visits For Same Issues
Difficulty Following Instructions
Difficulty With Basic Math, Telling Time
Chronic Social Or Legal Troubles
Difficulty Rephrasing Information
Frequently Misses Follow Up
Gaps In Day Time Activity
Learning Disability
Low Literacy
Mental Health Issues
Concrete/Literal Thinking
10. Commonly Missed Diagnoses:
Head to Toe Assessment
♠ H Headache and other pain
♠ E Epilepsy
♠ A Aspiration pneumonia
♠ D Drugs. Patients are at high risk for adverse effects or polypharmacy
♠ T Teeth pain and lead to aggressive behaviour and food refusal
♠ O Ocular like problem with vision, hearing and sleep.
♠ T Tummy issues like constipation or bowel obstruction
♠ O Osteoporosis and atypical fractures, pressure sores
♠ E Etiology or causes ex. Calcium disturbance in William’s syndrome
♠ S Serious illness- ask caregivers how they express pain
♠ S Screen for abuse
ALL BEHAVIOUR IS COMMUNICATION
11. Know your Client
Don’t be afraid to ask if there is a developmental disability
If you suspect an individual has a developmental disability and may not be receiving
services, you can share information about Developmental Services Ontario(DSO)
Remember that there are many individuals who have impaired cognitive and adaptive
abilities who may not meet criteria for developmental disability. This means they can’t
access certain services, but they can still benefit from accommodations.
Never forget your role as advocate. If the services are not there yet to meet their needs,
work with your patient and those around him or her to help make that happen.
12. Developmental Services Ontario
• Developmental Services Ontario agencies can help adults with developmental disabilities find services and supports in
their community. We can also provide information and help you or someone you care for with planning for the future.
There are nine Developmental Services Ontario agencies across Ontario. The agency in your region will help you access the
supports that are available in your community. These agencies are:
Region Email Phone
Central East dsocentraleast@yssn.ca 1-855-277-2121, 905-953-0796
Central West dso@dsocwr.com 1-888-941-1121
East admin@dsoer.ca 1-855-376-3737
Hamilton- Niagara info@dsohnr.ca 1-877-376-6376
North East dso@handstfhn 1-855-376-6376
Northern info@iccctbay.org 1-855-376-6673
South East esteele@dsoser.com 1-855-237-6737
South west maryregan@dsoswr.ca 1-855-437-6797
Toronto DSOTR@surreyplace.on.ca 1-855-372-3858
13. Financial Resources for People
with Developmental Disabilities
Name of Resource Services Provided Contact Information
Passport funding
Ages : 18+ (if not in school)
21+ (if in school)
A program to offer secondary school students
with a disability exposure to post- secondary
options
www.dsontario.ca
Special Services at Home(SSAH)
Ages : 0-18
A resource to help families care for a child with
disabilities
www.children.gov.on.ca
Respite Services
Ages : All ages
Connects care givers to funding and agencies
that offer in- home, and out-of-home respite for
caregivers via Respite Facilitation Program.
www.respiteservices.com
Disability Tax Credit
Ages : All ages
Can reduce the amount of income tax that an
adult with a disability must pay
Canada Revenue Agency
1-800-959-2221
Registered Disability Savings
Plan (RDSP)
Ages : Under 60
Can help people with disability to grow
protected, tax free savings
www.rdsp.com
14. Financial Resources for People
with Developmental Disabilities
Name of Resource Services Provided Contact Information
Ontario Disability Support
Program
(ODSP)
Ages : 18+(income support)
16+((employment support)
Can offer monthly income support for adults with disabilities who
meet financial need criteria and disability criteria
www.mscc.gov.on.ca
416-314-5700
Obtain the paperwork online, in person at
local ODSP office, or over the phone.
ODSP- Special Diet
Ages : Must have eligible
medical condition and be
eligible for ODSP
Can help people on ODSP receive additional funds each month to
cover dietary needs related to particular medical conditions like
diabetes, obesity, hypertension, food allergies etc.
www.mscc.gov.on.ca
416-314-5700
A doctor, Nurse Practitioner or Dietician
can complete the application.
ODSP- Mandatory Special
Necessities Allowance (MSN)
Additional funds to cover costs of certain medical supplies or
travel to and from medical appointments.
Obtain the application form from the local
DSO office
Equipment Needs Assistive Devices Program :
Equipment must be prescribed by “an ADP authorized” OT or PT.
1-877-396-4867 (Press “2” to speak with
an intake counselor)
Henson Trust
Ages : All ages
A trust that can be used for the future financial planning of
individuals with developmental disabilities.
Contact Estate Lawyers directly to see if
they have experience with Henson Trusts.
15. Helpful resources for Clients and care
givers
Easy health www.easyhealth.org.uk
This website is from England. It has a lot of videos and handouts about health. IT covers so many topics,and is
made for people with disabilities.
Connect Ability www. connectability.ca
This website has lots of information for people with disabilities and our friends and family. It has ideas on how to
get services and has a space where you can type in questions to ask other people.
Developmental
Services Ontario
www.dsontario.ca
The DSO is the place to call to see so that your name can be added to waiting lists for things like day programs, a
support worker, or extra money (called passport). The DSO website has lots of information. You can also call them.
Their phone number is 1-855-372-3858.
Magnus model www.magnusmode.com
Magnus mode is an “app” (like a game) that teaches people about different things- like going to the doctor, going
to the dentist, going to the emergency room. Magnus is the boy’s name in the game and your job is to learn new
things with Magnus and earn coins along the way.
H-CARDD www. Hcardd.ca
H- CARDD is a website about research. There is lots of information on this website. There is a section that is made
just for people with disabilities and include handouts and videos about health.
16. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) uses the
same definition of “disability” as the Ontario Human Rights Code, which
includes both visible and non-visible disabilities.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) became
law on June 13, 2005. Under this landmark legislation, the government of
Ontario has developed mandatory accessibility standards that identifies,
removes, and prevents barriers for people with disabilities.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
17. There is a plan and a purpose, a value to every life,
no matter what its location, age, gender, or
disability.
-Sharron Angle
