National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health

11/09/2026

Are you a healthcare professional, and have you signed up to the next Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group online meeting?

The DSMIG-AUS September meeting will delve into the topic of endocrine conditions in Down Syndrome.

This will be a knowledge-packed session where Associate Professor Esther Briganti, endocrinologist will provide an overview of this topic. Esther has been practising in Melbourne and regional Victoria for over 30 years including work in chronic disease research and academia.

Don't miss this opportunity to expand your understanding and connect with others in the field.

This meeting is for:
- Healthcare professionals (including allied health professionals)

Register now:

Join us for the next meeting of DSMIG-AUS where we will discuss Endocrine conditions in Down Syndrome

10/09/2026

Fragile X syndrome is the leading cause of inherited intellectual disability, affecting about 1 in 4,000 males and about 1 in 6,000 females.

This article unpacks Hayden Eastbury’s experience with Fragile X.

"I think it has helped to deepen people's understanding that everyone with a disability is unique; they all have different strengths, abilities, challenges, and that leads to needing different support needs," Ms Bruce said.

Learn more about Fragile X here: https://www.fragilex.org.au/

And read the full article using this link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-30/hayden-eastbury-visits-half-abc-australian-bureaus/107071532

08/09/2026

“I would say probably the single most important treatment [for Prader-Willi syndrome] is information.” Professor Tony Holland

In his recent presentation at the Centre, Professor Tony Holland shared emerging evidence on the causes of hyperphagia in people with Prader-Willi syndrome, and how a deeper understanding can help us co-design more effective, person-centred interventions and supports.

You can watch the full presentation using the link below.

27/08/2026

Help us improve heart care for people with intellectual disability.

The Centre’s Heart Journey Project is looking for people with intellectual disability who have Type 2 diabetes to join our steering group.

Steering group members will help guide the project, share their experiences and help make decisions about the work.

Interested in getting involved?

Contact Maryann Barrington.

26/08/2026

Queensland Disability Conference 2026 – ‘Access All Areas: The Road Ahead’ Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN), in partnership with the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety, is hosting the Queensland Disability Conference 2026, Brisbane.

Event highlights will include discussions on:
- Disability reforms
- Brisbane 2032 Games - Social and economic impact
- Accessible and inclusive transport

You can find out more about the conference by visiting the website:
https://qdn.org.au/ourwork/queensland-disability-conference-2026/

The online event will be held on an interactive platform, where you will have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other attendees, whilst watching a live feed of the presentation.

Date: Friday, 11 September 2026.
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm.
Where: Online (Link sent before the conference)

Register here:
https://events.humanitix.com/queensland-disability-conference-2026-online

19/08/2026

Specialist Intellectual Disability Health Teams are making a difference, but they are currently only available in 7 of NSW’s 15 Local Health Districts.

This means only a portion of the people who need this specialist support can access it.

Council for Intellectual Disability is calling on the NSW Government to fund a Specialist Intellectual Disability Health Team in every one of NSW’s 15 Local Health Districts.

Health outcomes for people with intellectual disability are well below those of the general population.

Specialist Intellectual Disability Health Teams are making a difference, but they are currently only available in 7 of NSW’s 15 Local Health Districts. This means only a portion of the people who need this specialist support can access it.

CID is calling on the NSW Government to fund a Specialist Intellectual Disability Health Team in every one of NSW’s 15 Local Health Districts.

The health and lives of people with intellectual disability depend on it.

Read the article below to learn more about this important issue and hear from CID Senior Advocate Jim Simpson.

14/08/2026

3DN at the UNSW Centre is researching autistic people's experiences of using mental health services in NSW.

We invite autistic people and supporters to join a 60–90 minute online focus group.

We will talk about what has worked well and how mental health services can better support autistic people.

People who join a focus group or interview will receive a gift card for their time.

Register your interest here: https://unsw.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9NTG8VR0QZ6XVnU

For more information, contact [email protected]

12/08/2026

Researchers from 3DN at the UNSW Centre are looking for people with intellectual disability to take part in their study.

You can find out more below.

Contact Dr Maryann Barrington on [email protected] for more information.

11/08/2026

It's Census night. Everyone should be counted.

The Census counts people in Australia.

It helps the government understand who lives in Australia and what people need.

This information is used to plan important services and supports, including disability and health supports.

It is important that information about people with intellectual disability and their supporters is included in the Census.

You can fill in the Census yourself or ask someone for help.

You can call the Census for help 1800 181 227.

There is Easy Read information about the Census here:https://info.census.abs.gov.au/system/files/documents/4f857f6bb70406926020e8be2a032622/Easy%20Read%20factsheet.pdf

Let's make sure we count!

11/08/2026

Looking for practical ways to support the health and wellbeing of a person with intellectual disability?

Our free webinar, Supporting health and wellbeing of people with intellectual disability, is packed with practical advice, evidence-based information and tips you can put into practice.

Watch it on YouTube today and share it with family, friends and supporters who might find it helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA3c9e4Ptf4