eMJA: Dealing with multisystem disease in people with a developmental disability

Editorials

Dealing with multisystem disease in people with a developmental disability

Edward V O’Loughlin, Helen M Somerville and Ernest R Somerville

MJA 2009; 190 (11): 616-617

The challenge of providing a multidisciplinary response to complex health problems

Adevelopmental disability is a neurological abnormality having its onset in childhood that is associated with long-term neurological and developmental deficits (for example, spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy). Although the degree of physical and intellectual disability varies greatly, people with a severe developmental disability often have very limited mobility, are dependent on caregivers for their daily needs, and usually have several concomitant medical problems. Because of their complex health needs, consensus is growing that multidisciplinary clinics provide the optimal setting for assessment and management of patients with a developmental disability.

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