It’s important for health care providers to communicate effectively and appropriately with people with intellectual disability, as challenges in communication can be a major barrier to the delivery of quality healthcare for people with disability.

Inclusive communication tips

CID tip sheet on inclusive communication

The Council for Intellectual Disability (CID) have a tip sheet about inclusive communication with people with intellectual disability.

CDDH fact sheet on working with people with intellectual disability during COVID-19

The Centre for Development Disability Health (CDDH) has developed a fact sheet to assist health care professionals working with people with intellectual disability and their families and carers, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scope website

Scope provides support to community services on improving communication access for people with communication difficulties.

HealthCARE Conversations

HealthCARE Conversations is a video designed for health practitioners to improve their communication with people with disability.

Improving interactions and communication with people with little or no speech

The Disability Advocacy Resource Unit, Victoria presents Improving interactions and communication with people with little or no speech by Dr Sheridan Forster and Dr Meredith Prain, speech pathologists and researchers with many years’ experience working with people with complex and profound disability.

Details include Video Interaction Guidance approach to foster improved interactions and relationships between people with complex disability and the family members and staff who support them.

Further resources

Here are some useful links to support you to communicate effectively with people with intellectual disability.  

AAC Centers (USA)

AAC Intervention (USA)

AGOSCI Inc

Communication Matters (UK)

International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC)

National Relay Service

Speech Pathology Australia

United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC)