Disability
People with a disability can get better or worse over time. Help is best when given early — but it is never too late to start
- If you suspect a child has a disability — do age-appropriate developmental assessment
Problems can include
- Communication, getting on with others
- Mobility, looking after themselves
- Home, school, work, community activities
- 'Shame', depression
Accessing Assistance
- Most people with disabilities in remote communities will be eligible for individualised funding through the NDIS
- Further support can be obtained from Community Connectors, NDIS coordinators for regional councils, Disability Advocacy Services and specialist disability services (eg mental health, Autism Australia)
Do
- Check file notes for previous management plan and specialist letters
- Encourage person to bring family member, friend, carer with them to clinic
- Consent may be needed from parent, guardian, adult guardian
- Refer to multiprofessional team as needed for treatment or advice — OT, physio, speech therapist, social worker, psychologist, rehabilitation services, disability liaison officer, paediatrician, dietician, mental health team.
- Consider telehealth
- Develop management plan — include issues in Flowchart 11.1
- Consider local conditions, services and support available
- Include whether the person is an NDIS participant, if so — record who the Coordinator of Supports (COS) is and any other authorised service providers (eg OT, physio, etc)
- Goals — find out what person would like to work on, who can help. Activities will change as person gets better or worse
- Support person to do as much as they can for themselves
- Arrange more than 1 appointment if visiting regional centre
- If returning from hospital, rehabilitation unit, respite — start discharge planning early with family meeting and updated management plan
Flowchart 11.1 Developing a community-based management plan for person with disability or older person living in Aboriginal community
Supporting resources