Working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have diabetes

There is growing evidence to highlight that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities develop diabetes with prevalence rates being reported to be higher compared to the non-disabled population. However this is a frequently forgotten population where little attention has been given to diabetes health prevention/promotion, diabetes screening and individuals being offered structured education to self-manage their condition. There is also a significant role for educating family and paid carers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to support them to help manage their diabetes. Furthermore, the question of whose responsibility it is to manage the person with intellectual and developmental disabilities and diabetes within primary healthcare settings will be discussed. This article will identify some exemplars of user friendly diabetes educational resources and one specific structured type 2 diabetes education programme that has been adapted for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Gaps in our understanding and clinical practice will be discussed, and readers will be offered practical solutions where they can tailor diabetes education for this population and their carers.