Developmental disability services help people with developmental disabilities live their lives as independently as possible. It is essential that people with disabilities have access to these services so they can enjoy their rights, freedoms and choices as members of the community.
Adults with developmental disabilities can access a wide range services and supports within their communities through the NH developmental services program. It consists of a main office located in Concord, and ten (10) non-profit agencies that represent specific geographical regions of NH.
Medical and Clinical Services
People with developmental disabilities often have complex medical needs. They need to be able to access specialized clinics that offer general and clinical services. These include physiatry and physical therapy, speech therapy and specialized dentistry. A wide range of behavioral services can be provided by developmental disability clinics, including psychological testing, guardianship evaluations, and autism assessments. They also offer psychotherapy for people with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
While important progress has been made in addressing the healthcare needs and status of people with IDD across their lifespan, significant barriers remain. Among these are inadequate demand for services, poor affordability and accessibility of care, and policies that do not adequately address the unique needs of people with IDD or their families.
People with IDD need access to healthcare delivery systems that build on existing models as well as innovate new approaches to addressing their health needs. These systems should be affordable and accessible, meet the health needs of IDD patients and their families, and provide quality, individual care.
Early Intervention and Special Education
Early Intervention is available for babies and toddlers who are not meeting developmental milestones. This is a service that can help them catch up and develop in ways that are not possible if they wait until they are three years old to receive the care they need.
First, they need to have their basic skills evaluated. This evaluation is free and done by state-approved evaluators.
This evaluation will help you and your doctor determine whether your child is developing slowly or has a disability. Your doctor will refer you to the appropriate agency if they are.
After your child has been evaluated, they will be provided with the services that they need to reach their goals. These include counseling, occupational, physical and speech therapy. They may also be eligible for transportation, hearing loss services, nutrition, and social work support, depending on their needs.
Community Residential Services
Community Residential Services provide housing and support options for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a variety of settings such as group homes, supervised apartments, and independent living units. They also offer a range of social and recreational activities that enable residents to develop skills in areas such as cooking, hygiene, personal care, and money management.
In these homes, licensed staff members are available 24/7 to help residents with daily tasks such as meal preparation, housekeeping and shopping. They are also available to assist with personal care, medical needs and socialization.
Adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities may require more assistance to stay safe in their homes and communities. This may mean that some people need to be placed in a group home with others who have similar interests and needs.
Supports Coordination and Family Support Services
The key component to helping people with developmental disabilities live fulfilling and healthy lives in the community is support coordination. Services coordinated by a qualified support coordinator include medical, clinical, social, educational, financial, vocational and residential services.disability service providers melbourne
A support coordinator uses a person-centered planning process to identify and manage individual services for people living with ID. The support coordinator can then keep in touch with the individual and provide feedback on the effectiveness of their services.
In many areas, resources for support coordination are limited or have restrictive financial or diagnostic eligibility criteria. Some support coordinators have large caseloads that exceed their capabilities and staff turnover is high.