Book chapter
End-of-Life Considerations for Individuals with Intellectual Disability
Speech-Language Pathology and Palliative Care, pp.132-149
Routledge, 1st
2026
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Managing end-of-life and palliative care is a complex process and those with intellectual disabilities may face unique challenges. The process of supporting a person as they approach death requires compassionate and holistic care that addresses the person's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
End-of-life care planning for people with intellectual disabilities should involve the person themselves and their families, caregivers, and healthcare providers to ensure that their preferences, values, and wishes are respected. Death and dying are natural parts of the human experience; however, for people with intellectual disability, their caregivers and healthcare providers require appropriate education and support.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have a key role in supporting people with intellectual disability, their family and paid carers including updating or creating solutions for communicating complex ideas such as what happens when you die, saying goodbye to loved ones as well as managing pain. Palliative care often needs to happen in a short time frame and so the priority is providing rapid solutions rather than perfect solutions to the communication needs of all involved.
This chapter will describe end-of-life issues, carer education, and the role of the SLP in palliative care.
Details
- Title
- End-of-Life Considerations for Individuals with Intellectual Disability
- Creators
- Andy Smidt - Southern Cross UniversityJoanne Watson - Deakin University (Australia, Geelong)
- Contributors
- Laura Chahda (Editor) - Victoria UniversityBernice Ann Mathisen (Editor) - University of Southern QueenslandLindsay B Carey (Editor) - La Trobe University
- Publication Details
- Speech-Language Pathology and Palliative Care, pp.132-149
- Publisher
- Routledge; New York, NY
- Edition
- 1st
- Identifiers
- 991013322025202368
- Copyright
- © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Laura Chahda, Bernice A. Mathisen, and Lindsay B. Carey; individual chapters, the contributors.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Book chapter