Physical Health Issues

Adults with intellectual or other developmental disabilities often have complex or difficult-to-treat medical conditions, either as part of their developmental disability or a co-morbid condition. Many individuals have difficulties expressing their symptoms or pain and in sharing their medical history. This section of our website was developed to help focus on some of these particular physical health issues, including Preventive Care Checklists.

The Preventive Care Checklists have been adapted for the care of adults with IDD who do not have an established etiology.

Individuals with IDD deserve the same quality of preventive health care as others, and so the preventive care actions applicable to the general population should also be done for adults with IDD, e.g., immunizations, cancer screenings, cholesterol checks.

Also, see Health Watch Tables that highlight specific differences for selected genetic syndromes.

Cumulative Patient Profile. Accessed July 2021.

Female Preventive Care Checklist. Accessed July 2021.

Male Preventive Care Checklist. Accessed July 2021.