Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Nurses also known as Special Needs Nurses, are registered nurses who provide care for patients suffering from a number of intellectual and developmental disabilities i.e. mental retardation, pervasive developmental disorders (pdd), autism spectrum disorder, Rett's syndrome, Asperger's syndrome and many more. These nurses work in many settings from hospitals to home help providing unique healthcare and social needs assistance to their patients. They also provide support and advice to the families of the patient.

The main duties of an Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Nurse include:

- Providing care for patients with physical, mental or behavioral disabilities
- Caring for patients of all ages
- Assisting with feeding and controlling bodily functions
- Supporting patients and encouraging them to be independently mobile
- Educating patients and their families of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Assisting patients with language skills and other forms of communication

Where they work:
I/DD nurses work in many different settings including Hospitals, Schools, Worksites, and Primary Care Centres in the community.

Qualifications:
Registered Nurses can gain Certification in Developmental Disabilities Nursing (CDDN). To certify you must provide documentation for 4,000 hours (2 years full-time) work in a developmental disabilities nursing practice. These hours must have been completed within the last five years. You must then sit a written examination. Certification lasts for two years at which stage you can recertify by taking the examination again. CDDN certification is accredited by the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association (DDNA).