Developmental Disabilities Guidelines  

Developmental Disabilities Guidelines  

The BC Guidelines for Supporting Adults with Developmental Disabilities provide practical, evidence-informed guidance for home sharing providers, agencies, and healthcare professionals. 

These guidelines help providers: 

• Understand common health concerns among people with developmental disabilities (e.g., mental health, medication use, sensory differences). 

• Communicate effectively with healthcare providers. 

• Recognize signs of pain, distress, or changes in health that may go unnoticed. 

• Advocate for inclusive and equitable access to medical services. 

Key topics include: 

• Health promotion and prevention 

• Navigating health care systems 

• Informed consent and rights-based support 

• Coordination of care across systems 

These guidelines are especially useful when supporting someone with complex medical or behavioural needs and can serve as a reference when participating in care planning with health professionals.