What's On News June 2018 Mater Intellectual Disability and Autism Service unveiled

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Mater Intellectual Disability and Autism Service unveiled

Friday 8 June 2018

Mater is proud to announce its new service: Mater Intellectual Disability and Autism Service. The service will continue to deliver the clinical services previously provided by the Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability (QCIDD).
 
The newly-named service will continue supporting people with intellectual disability and/or autism and their families, through research, teaching and clinical activities. The state-wide service, which has a face-to-face clinic at Mater Young Adult Health Centre Brisbane and also a telehealth clinic for those in remote areas of Queensland, is one of only a few services of this kind in Australia.
 
The service is run by Psychiatrist and Senior Research Fellow at Mater Research Institute, Dr Catherine Franklin, and a multi-disciplinary team.

“People with intellectual disability and/or autism have complex and specialised health care needs but these are not well addressed in mainstream services, and they and their families struggle to find help,” Dr Franklin said.
 
“This represents a key aspect of Mater's Mission, which is to provide services to those who are disadvantaged or in need and those who have limited access to mainstream services.”
 
Dr Franklin recently presented at The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Annual Congress in Auckland, advocating for increased clinical support for autistic adults.
 
“There is an urgent need for more training of psychiatrists on the diagnosis and management of Autism Spectrum Disorder and the mental illnesses that complicate the condition,” Dr Franklin said.
 
As a result, Mater Intellectual Disability and Autism Service will be expanding its clinical team and is looking forward to meeting the ever-increasing need for services in this important area.