Taxonomy and physical health inequalities in people with learning disabilities

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a taxonomic framework that provides a biopsychosocial understanding of intellectual disabilities (ID). It was hypothesised that the use of the ICF would help highlight physical health difficulties in people with ID and promote a wider, more holistic view of ID. There was an additional practical aim concerning widening competing categories of athletes with ID to include physical health.

The study consisted of two stages. In Stage one the ICF-based questionnaire was developed with an expert panel. Stage two aimed to test this using a naturalistic, cross-sectional design, between three pre-existing groups: elite athletes competing through INAS; sub-elite athletes; and athletes with Down syndrome (DS). Seventy-seven athletes took part.

The results suggested that a separate competing category for athletes with DS should be considered, as this group could currently be considered disadvantaged in terms of their physical health when compared to INAS athletes. It was hoped this research would inspire further debate on a taxonomy for intellectual disabilities and the potential advantages of this, particularly in helping to ensure physical health problems in this population are not overlooked.