Understanding the Benefits of NDIS Physiotherapy for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Physiotherapy is an important part of treatment for people with intellectual disabilities. The benefits of physiotherapy can be both physical and mental. Physiotherapy can help to improve physical abilities like strength and balance, as well as help to prevent further impairments. It can also help to improve mental well-being by providing a sense of control and control over body movements. In addition, physiotherapy can help promote friendships and social skills, encouraging people to participate in activities and interact with others.

Realisation Healthcare's Sydney-based physiotherapists are experts in Intellectual Disabilities. They use evidence-based best practices to support participants with Intellectual Disabilities to improve their quality of life, well-being, health, ability and function.

Physiotherapy and accessing NDIS funding for Intellectual Disabilities?

The NDIS can cover physiotherapy to help provide individualised care and health and well-being management while assisting participants in achieving their NDIS goals. Funding for physiotherapy will be assessed based on your goals, needs, requirements and what is determined to be reasonable and necessary by the NDIA.

What is an Intellectual Disability?

According to the DSM-5, Intellectual Disabilities (IDs) are conditions that involve problems with general mental abilities that affect functioning in two main areas:

• Intellectual functioning (such as learning, problem-solving, and judgement).

• Adaptive functioning (daily life activities such as communication and independent living).

As of September 2022, more than 16% of participants on the NDIS have a primary disability of intellectual disability - making it the second most common disability for NDIS participants.

What are the most common types of ID?

The most common intellectual disabilities are:

• Down Syndrome

• Rett Syndrome

• Fragile X

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

• Prader–Willi Syndrome

How does having an ID affect a participant’s capacity to participate and function?

A person with an intellectual disability may have significant difficulties in their day-to-day life and their development, including challenges with:

• Thinking, reasoning and problem-solving

• Self Care

• Learning

• Social, communication and language skills

• Organising and completing daily life activities

• Self-regulation and behavioural/emotional maturity

How can an ID impact physical health and function?

As ID is a broad term and is not one condition, many people with ID may experience varying severity of impairments in functional abilities and physical health due to their main disability, their other comorbidities and their risk of developing secondary health conditions, which may include:

• Developmental delays

• Postural and balance issues

• Reduced functional capacity and endurance

• Decreased participation and practice in activities of daily living and sports

• Gross and fine motor impairments

• Weight gain due to sedentary behaviour and limited participation in activities.

• Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity

• Experience pain more frequently and at a higher degree than the general population.

How can physiotherapy help with IDs?

Physiotherapists are experts in movement, function, musculoskeletal assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Depending on the intellectual disability, a physiotherapist would understand and ensure that all aspects of the IDs that impact movement, function, pain, and capacity are addressed. As a registered NDIS physiotherapy provider, Realisation Healthcare ensures all NDIS participants with intellectual disabilities receive the best evidence based treatments to help improve their motor skills, improve their quality of life and participation in activities of daily living.

What would Physiotherapy involve?

Depending on the ID and the severity of the functional impairments, physiotherapy may involve the following:

• Develop and refine gross and fine motor skills

• Exercises to improve their strength, coordination, balance, posture, and endurance.

• Manual therapy and education to reduce pain

• Hand-eye coordination improvement exercises

• Advice and education to family and carers

• Coughing and breathing (respiratory management)

• Home exercise programs for development, rehabilitation and staying active

• Relaxation techniques

What other NDIS services does Realisation Healthcare offer?

Realisation Healthcare also offers a range of Allied Health services, including Occupational Therapy, Dietetics, and Exercise Physiology.

What makes Realisation Healthcare's physiotherapy different?

Realisation Healthcare is an NDIS registered Physiotherapy provider. Realisation Healthcare’s physiotherapists specialise in providing physiotherapy to people with various intellectual disabilities, neurological disabilities and mental health conditions. At Realisation Healthcare, we get to know you as an individual and how your disability impacts your quality of life, function and well-being. We use the Realisation Healthcare approach to understand everything about you, what is important to you, your goals, and your aspirations. We then combine this information with our tailored and individualised physiotherapy services to enable you to live life to the fullest. Our goal is to allow you to realise your true potential.

We respond to all queries and questions within 24 hours, and bookings can be made within a week. Contact us today through phone, email or for a casual chat over messenger to see how we can help you. You can also fill out the referral form by clicking on the button below.

Frequently asked questions:

How common is an Intellectual disability?

In 2003, 588,700 people (3% of the population) had an intellectual disability. Most were aged under 65 years (436,200).

Is Autism an intellectual disability?

Autism is not an intellectual disability, but some individuals with Autism may also have an intellectual disability. Intellectual disability is a condition characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, which can impact a person's ability to learn, communicate, and function independently in daily life.

Autism, on the other hand, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social communication, social interaction, and the presence of repetitive or restrictive behaviors or interests. While some individuals with Autism may also have an intellectual disability, many individuals with Autism have average or above-average intelligence and may excel in certain areas.