Allied health professionals

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) usually have to cope with an array of functional, mental, physical, and social challenges in addition to the primary diagnosis. Despite the fact that this group of people represents about 2.5 % of the world’s population they are still treated as a marginal group. The vast versatility of syndromes, developmental challenges and medical complexities result in infinite expressions of the IDD diagnosis although they are gathered under the same umbrella. The management of individuals with IDD necessitates understanding and expertise in a multitude of areas such as: behavioral symptoms, early intervention, education, community based support, medical challenges, activities of daily living, motor function, old age, etc. The intervention approach recommended for this population therefore requires a teamwork model that integrates the knowledge and expertise of all allied health professionals into a holistic care management. The diversity of disabilities presented by of individuals with IDD, makes working with them a complex and difficult task, yet a challenging one. Individuals with IDD are one of the most multifaceted and complex patients for the allied health professional, necessitating the initiation of a specific evaluation and the implementation of unique and creative therapeutic approach specifically tailored for each individual. Unfortunately, in many countries today there are no formal educational programs that prepare the allied health worker for such a challenge. This chapter will try and set some basic principles to use as a stepping stone to working with individuals with IDD.