Maine Developmental Disabilities Council

Start with a PHYSICIAN PRACTICE READINESS FORM

This form will help you prepare for visits with adult patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities for a positive experience and to achieve the best outcomes for both caregivers and patients. 

Resources for health providers responding

to sexual assault of people with intellectual disabilities

Alternatives to Pain

Pain Assessment Tools

• Basic Principal of Pain Treatment
• Comprehensive Pain Assessment Form
• Core Principles of Pain Assessment for Providers
• Faces Pain Scale
• Numeric Rating Scale for Pain
• Pain Assessment In Advanced Dementia (PAINAD)
• Colors Pain Chart
• NIPC Pain Assessment Scales
• Pain-Types Terminology and Clinical Use table
• Recommendations for Assessing Pain in Cognitively Intact Older Adults
• Verbal Descriptor Scale (Pain Thermometer)

Dermatome

• Dermatome Definitions
• Dermatomes Anatomy
• Nerve/Disc Principal Dermatomes

Massage & Reflexology

• Massage for Pain Management
• Japanese Shiatsu for Anxiety and Stress
• Reflexology Overview
• Hand Reflexology Chart
• Foot Reflexology Chart

Meditation & Yoga

• Chair Yoga
• Controlled Breathing & Guided Imagery
• Guided Meditation websites

Temperature Therapy

• Cold Therapy
• Heat Therapy

Other Pain Management Tools & Techniques

• Management of Pain for People with ID/DD
• Principles of Pain Management: Adult Guide
• Pain Management Diary
• Pain Management Communication Guide
• Distraction for Pain Management
• Music Therapy for Pain Management
• Positioning for Pain Management
• Relaxation for Pain Management

Psychotropic Medications

• Behavioral/Emotional Concerns - Caregiver Checklist
• Disability Distress Assesment Tool (DIS DAT)
• Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotics
• UNDERSTAND Mnemonic

  Dementia

• Aiding Older Caregivers
• Caregiver's Guide to Understanding Dementia Behaviors
• Cognitive Assessment Toolkit
• Connections: A Guide for Caregivers
• Depression and Caregiving
• Is this Dementia and What Does it Mean?
• NTG Early Detection Screen for Dementia
• People with ID/DD - Alzheimer's Webinar Series
• Tools for Early Identification, Assessment, and Treatment