Intellectual Disabilities
Intellectual Disabilities & Exercise Physiology
Exercise is crucial for developing minds.
Some skills progress before others, and if not, this can affect coordination, control and movement thereafter. The consequences of this are possible posture defects, muscular deficiencies and cardiovascular abnormalities and can then lead to chronic muscular and osteo conditions, along with heart issues.
At Be Physiology we create scientific-based programs that ensure the healthy development of our clients. By hosting a controlled (and tiring) environment, and keeping the little minds engaged, is a proven way to help them gain strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, as well as learn to listen and follow instructions.
What Can Cause An Intellectual Disability?
Intellectual disabilities do not have a single cause, it is genetic and environmental factors that can lead to different types of intellectual disabilities.
Signs and symptoms
Indications of a developmental disability may include the ability to roll over, sit up, crawl, or walking begins much later than developmentally appropriate.
Living with an intellectual disability may mean tasks such as learning, socialising, self-care, communication are difficult. It can also cause difficulty interacting with others and personal care.
What Defines A Developmental Disability Or Intellectual Disability?
A developmental disability refers to a physical, learning, language, or behavioural impairment. The term developmental disabilities encompass intellectual disabilities, however, also include physical disabilities.
An intellectual disability refers to a person having impaired cognitive functioning, social skills, and self-care skills.
There is a range of developmental and intellectual disabilities that affect people in different ways.
- ADHD
- Autism
- Cerebral Palsy
- Hearing Loss
- Rett Syndrome
- Intellectual Disability
- Learning Disability
- Vision Impairment
- Williams Syndrome
- Down Syndrome
- Prader-Willi Syndrome
- Fragile X Syndrome
- Fetal Alchohol Syndrome
How Does Exercise Help?
People living with disabilities are among the least active in our population. Unfortunately, for kids living with disabilities, a delayed development leads to reduced physical activity and further limitations to learning the same motor skills as others their age.
Not only are motor and social skills not developed, but this physical inactivity leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. People with disabilities benefit from the overall health improvements of exercise, as well as benefiting from improving specific deficits linked to their condition.
Exercise programs help people with developmental delay to learn new movement patterns such as walking, crawling, and jumping. Further, exercise improves muscle tone and balance.
For people with intellectual disabilities, exercise often helps increase ability to focus and improves confidence to interact throughout their community.
How Do Exercise Physiologists Work With Developmental & Intellectual Disabilities?
Prescribing exercise programs for people living with developmental and intellectual disabilities involves understanding how these conditions can affect movement, learning, and motor planning.
Each person and the way their condition impacts them is very unique which requires looking deeper into the goals of the individual and how to best utilise exercise to reach them. When working with people with developmental or intellectual disabilities AEPs look for task or game based movements that work towards the clinical goals while enjoying the sessions. Our mobile exercise physiologists modify and adapt exercise prescription regularly to meet the needs of our clients and their goals.
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder involving developmental and intellectual impairments. Down syndrome may also cause cervical spine instability and heart abnormalities. People with Down syndrome experience delays with motor development leading to low muscle tone decreased body awareness and decreased balance. People with Down syndrome also may have some level of impairment to speech, hearing, vision, and a slowed ability to learn. AEPs often work on strengthening muscle groups that have not developed, improving balance and coordination. A focus is also placed on setting up an environment that is appropriate for intellectual impairments.
ADHD is a condition that rises from brain development and activity which impacts attention, self-regulation, and activity level. People with ADHD often have a variety of symptoms including difficulty sitting still, impulsivity, and inattentiveness. Exercise can play a role in helping manage these symptoms by regulating emotions, improving sleep quality, and reducing stress. Exercise also has been shown to increase certain proteins in the brain which improve learning and working memory. AEPs help people with ADHD by building an exercise program that is able to be followed effectively and consistently. This may also involve working on behaviour change strategies to build healthy habits.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disability of possible genetic or unknown origin that impacts a person’s ability to communicate and interact. Deficits include social awareness, as well as verbal and non-verbal communication. Exercise can be used to improve communication skills, hyperactivity, aggression, poor concentration and more.
Our team of mobile exercise physiologists take an individualised approach to each program, working to understand what developmental disorders are present to best set up an exercise regime that will be most effective.
Start your journey today and see the power of evidence-based exercise physiology.
NDIS
Yes! We are a long standing NDIS registered business providing a unique, neurologically focused service to people living with disabilities.
WorkCover
Looking to get back to work but have an injury holding you back from return to your normal life? Exercise physiology helps you reduce pain, gain strength, function and confidence to go back to work.
Private Health
Exercise Physiology is all about helping you have a positive relationship with exercise, we come to you and specialise in setting up long-term health and fitness changes in your life.
DVA
Are you a veteran with a DVA white or gold card? We’re here to help you face challenges from musculoskeletal pain, heart conditions, diabetes, osteoarthritis & more.
My Aged Care
Do you have a My Aged Care, Home Care Package and want to be more active and mobile? Exercise therapies assist with the negative effects of ageing, to keep you moving and enjoying life.
Which Be Physiology Service Is Right For You?
We are here to guide you through your personalised exercise physiology program to restore your mobility, function, and confidence. Contact us to discuss the best options for you.
Our Gym
Head to our accessible and private gym in Indooroopilly, with a range of equipment, plenty of space for our sessions, and of course parking.
Mobile
When we say accessibility, we mean it. We offer exercise physiology in an environment that works best for our clients. Our mobile exercise physiologists come to you, across the Greater Brisbane Area.
Your Local Gym
A common goal for many is to get back into the gym. And we are all about those goals.
We liaise with your local gym and will meet you there for sessions.
Hydrotheraphy
We could talk about the benefits of hydrotherapy for days. That warmth and buoyancy, ooft. If you don’t have a pool, we can meet at your local.
Group Classes
Our group functional training classes are designed to cater to individuals with diverse abilities, providing a supportive environment to improve function and start your transition to independent exercise.
NDIS Reports
Letters of recommendations and progress reports can be requested, demonstrating the outcomes achieved through our support, or to assist a participant to obtain more funding.
