Thursday, 2 July 2015

Dealing With Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

By Edna Booker


It is the desire of every parent to have a normal child both physically as well as mentally. Many parents are gripped with anxiety as they watch their young ones undergo growth and development. As a parent or guardian in Portsmouth, PA, it is important to note that things will not always turn out as planned. Indeed, there a good number of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Commonly, this problem will be identified before the age of eighteen.

This disability was and is still known in many areas as mental retardation. It may occur in isolation or in combination with physical disorders. Combinations are frequently seen in the case of conditions such as Down syndrome and the Foeatal alcohol system. The predisposing factors are numerous and are classified as social, biomedical, behavioural and educational. Infections that occur in pregnancy and in the perinatal period are particularly notorious.

One of the biggest challenges that the affected persons face is the inability to grasp issues fast. Most of them need to have issues repeated to them over and over before they can understand. It is therefore very important when one is attempting to impart knowledge and skills in such children. If possible, these children should be taught in special schools in which they have the attention of a specially trained teacher.

Although the signs may be obvious from the onset, the general advice is that one should consult a psychiatrist for proper diagnosis. Contrary to common belief, an IQ test alone is not enough. In addition to a low IQ there should also be impairment in intellectual functioning, adaptive behaviour and an onset before 18 years of age. An IQ test of less than 75 is regarded as unfavourable.

Adaptive behaviour comprises three main areas. These include conceptual skills, practical skills and social skills. Conceptual skills relate to language and literacy, self direction, number concepts, understanding and using money and number concepts. Social skills are useful in the creation of interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. Practical skills are important for daily survival. The degree of limitations varies among different people depending on the severity of the disability.

The different classifications used for groups of individuals affected help in creating appropriate management options. When assessing a child for the condition it is important to consider the immediate surroundings. The community in which a child grows up has a big influence on what kind of adult they will grow into. The child can only be said to have a limitation when compared to their immediate community and not any other.

Research has established that a number of things can be done so as to minimise the chances of having a child suffering from the disability. One area that ca be used for intervention is social support. Expectant women should get proper nutrition and care to provide a conducive environment for foetal growth. Genetic counselling of prospective couples is another strategy that has had tremendous success.

Intellectual disability is said to be the most common form of developmental disabilities all over the world. The limitation presents a huge challenge to both the affected children and their parents. When timely intervention is instituted, the affected persons can be trained to lead near normal lives. It should be noted that this condition is not a disease or a mental illness.




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